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jerk

n. · v.
US //ˈdʒɝk// UK //dʒˈɜːk// jerk
  1. 1 rude person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal American English

    a person who is mean, selfish, or treats others badly.

    a derogatory term for an obnoxious, contemptible, or socially inept person. Informal in register.

    Example

    I can't believe he didn't apologize; he's such a jerk.

    Example

    The manager was a complete jerk to the staff, constantly belittling their efforts in front of clients.
  2. 2 sudden movement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a quick, sharp pull or a sudden movement of the body.

    a sudden, abrupt pull or twist; also refers to an involuntary muscular contraction.

    Example

    The car started with a sudden jerk, making everyone lean forward.

    Example

    A sudden jerk of the fishing line indicated that something substantial had finally taken the bait.
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  1. 3 Jamaican cooking (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    a spicy style of Jamaican cooking, often used for chicken or pork.

    a style of Jamaican cooking in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    We ordered the jerk chicken with a side of rice and peas.

    Example

    The authentic aroma of pimento wood and jerk seasoning filled the air as the street vendors prepared the evening meal.

  2. 4 physics (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    how quickly the acceleration of an object changes.

    the rate of change of acceleration with respect to time; the third derivative of position.

    Example

    Engineers try to minimize jerk to make the elevator ride feel smooth.

    Example

    In high-speed rail design, limiting the jerk is essential for passenger comfort during transitions between different grades of acceleration.

  3. 5 to move suddenly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move or pull something with a quick, sharp motion.

    to move with a sudden, sharp motion; can be used transitively with an object or intransitively.

    Example

    He jerked the door open and ran outside into the rain.

    Example

    The horse jerked its head away when the stranger tried to stroke its nose.
  4. 6 to preserve meat (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    to cut meat into long strips and dry it to keep it for a long time.

    to prepare meat by cutting it into strips and drying it in the sun or over a fire.

    Example

    The hunters would jerk the venison to ensure they had food for the winter.

    Example

    Historically, sailors would jerk beef to provide a stable source of protein during long transoceanic voyages.
Etymology 1

Probably from Middle English yerk (“sudden motion”) and Middle English yerkid (“tightly pulled”), from Old English ġearc (“ready, active, quick”) and Old English ġearcian (“to prepare, make ready, procure, furnish, supply”). Cognate with Scots yerk (“to jerk”). Related also to English yare (“ready”).

Etymology 2

Denominal verb of jerky, itself borrowed from Spanish charqui, from Quechua ch'arki.

Idioms2 entries

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