jerk

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[ US /ˈdʒɝk/ ]
[ UK /d‍ʒˈɜːk/ ]

NOUN

meat (especially beef) cut in strips and dried in the sun
(mechanics) the rate of change of acceleration
a sudden abrupt pull
an abrupt spasmodic movement
raising a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms
a dull stupid fatuous person

VERB

make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
his face is twitching
throw or toss with a quick motion
jerk his head
flick a piece of paper across the table
move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions
The patient's legs were jerkings
jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched
the yung filly bucked
pull, or move with a sudden movement
He turned the handle and jerked the door open

Top Definitions Examples

How To Use jerk In A Sentence

With a lot of prodding and poking and pushing and cajoling, it set off with a spasmodic jerk.
Like all the meals, the jerk comes with red peas (kidney beans) and rice, as well as plantains that are puffy, soft, and sweet like caramel.
For the kids the knee-jerk tourist products are wooden toys, but they are lumpish, boring objects, unlikely to appeal to any but the most simple-minded of toddlers.
Now, next time I'm sitting next to someone on the bus, or sleeping next to someone who has a full-body spasm while dozing off, I fully reserve the right to call them a hypnic jerk. Ilene Kleinbaum: The Great Wake Up Program: My Sleep Education
When her character (played by Winona Ryder) leaves the psychiatric institution never to return, the film takes a turn toward the tear-jerker.
So if he turns out to be a jerk you can just drag me away and I won't have to talk to him again!
Of course, she stepped on it, it made the dreaded 'crinkly' noise and she jerked-- her head catching in the loop of the bag. Poursuivre - French Word-A-Day
What we all know is those who live on knee-jerk reaction will either absolutely love or hate her. Palin, Bachmann rally conservatives
But, whatever harm Macscruby thinks our flag might do to his beef jerky, McDonald's had no misgivings on its effect on the Big Mac.
Her dreamy, cinematic songs were bewitching, her jerky dance moves beguiling. Times, Sunday Times

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