JERK

n. & v. --n. 1 a sharp sudden pull, twist, twitch, start, etc. 2 a spasmodic muscular twitch. 3 (in pl.) Brit. colloq. exercises (physical jerks). 4 sl. a fool; a stupid person. --v. 1 intr. move with a jerk. 2 tr. pull, thrust, twist, etc., with a jerk. 3 tr. throw with a suddenly arrested motion. 4 tr. Weight-lifting raise (a weight) from shoulder-level to above the head. øjerk off coarse sl. masturbate. °Usually considered a taboo use. øøjerker n. [16th c.: perh. imit.]