jerk
jerk1 / jərk/ • n. 1. a quick, sharp, sudden movement: he gave a sudden jerk of his head. ∎ a spasmodic muscular twitch. ∎ [in sing.] Weightlifting the raising of a barbell above the head from shoulder level by an abrupt straightening of the arms and legs, typically as the second part of a clean and jerk. 2. inf. a contemptibly obnoxious person.• v. [tr.] make (something) move with a jerk: she jerked her chin up. ∎ [intr.] move with a jerk: his head jerked around the van jerked forward. ∎ suddenly rouse or jolt (someone): the thud jerked her back to reality. ∎ [tr.] Weightlifting raise (a weight) from shoulder level to above the head.PHRASAL VERBS: jerk someone around inf. deal with someone dishonestly or unfairly.jerk off vulgar slang masturbate.DERIVATIVES: jerk·er n.jerk2 • v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (jerked) prepare (meat) by marinating it in spices and drying or barbecuing it over a wood fire: jerked beef.• n. meat cooked in this way: fiery Jamaican jerk | [as adj.] jerk chicken.