From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Jerk \Jerk\ (j[~e]rk), v. t. [Corrupted from Peruv. charqui
dried beef.]
To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun; as, to
jerk beef. See Charqui.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Jerk \Jerk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Jerked (j[~e]rkt); p. pr. &
vb. n. Jerking.] [Akin to yerk, and perh. also to yard a
measure.]
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1. To beat; to strike. [Obs.] --Florio.
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2. To give a quick and suddenly arrested thrust, push, pull,
or twist, to; to yerk; as, to jerk one with the elbow; to
jerk a coat off.
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3. To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the
hand; as, to jerk a stone.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Jerk \Jerk\, v. i.
1. To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by
starts. --Milton.
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2. To flout with contempt.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Jerk \Jerk\, n.
[1913 Webster]
1. A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake,
or similar motion.
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His jade gave him a jerk. --B. Jonson.
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2. A sudden start or spring.
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Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs.
--Grew.
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3. A foolish, stupid, or otherwise contemptible person.
[Slang]
Syn: jerkoff.
[PJC]
4. (Sport) The lifting of a weight, in a single rapid motion,
from shoulder height until the arms are outstretched above
the head; distinguished from press in that the motion in
a jerk is more rapid, and the body may be moved under the
weight to assist completion of the movement; as, a clean
and jerk of two hundred pounds.
[PJC]
2. Calisthenic exercises, such as push-ups or deep knee
bends; also called physical jerks. [British]
[PJC]