JERKING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does jerking mean? 

• JERKING (noun)
  The noun JERKING has 1 sense:

1. an abrupt spasmodic movement

  Familiarity information: JERKING used as a noun is very rare.

• JERKING (adjective)
  The adjective JERKING has 1 sense:

1. lacking a steady rhythm

  Familiarity information: JERKING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• JERKING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An abrupt spasmodic movement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

jerk; jerking; jolt; saccade

Hypernyms ("jerking" is a kind of...):

motility; motion; move; movement (a change of position that does not entail a change of location)

Derivation:

jerk (make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion)

jerk (move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions)

• JERKING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking a steady rhythm

Synonyms:

arrhythmic; jerking; jerky

Context example:

an arrhythmic heartbeat

Similar:

unsteady (subject to change or variation)

 Context examples 

Also of hearing an old-fashioned clock ticking away on the chimney-piece, and trying to make it keep time to the jerking of my heart,—which it wouldn't.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

There had been no wrenching or jerking.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The alarm-clock went off, jerking Martin out of sleep with a suddenness that would have given headache to one with less splendid constitution.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

In half an hour a good-sized gas-bag had been formed, and the jerking and straining upon the thongs showed that it was capable of considerable lift.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“One moment—one moment!” cried a querulous voice, and we looked up to find a queer little old man, jerking and twitching in the doorway.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Suddenly the silence was broken by a sharp, metallic clang. She screamed, jerking her eyes back to the table. The plate had fallen down.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“I’ve got him here,” he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder; “he’s all right.”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me away.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

All the time he was jerking out these phrases he was stumping up and down the tavern on his crutch, slapping tables with his hand, and giving such a show of excitement as would have convinced an Old Bailey judge or a Bow Street runner.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Some of the most common are: • Headaches, usually worse in the morning • Nausea and vomiting • Changes in your ability to talk, hear, or see • Problems with balance or walking • Problems with thinking or memory • Muscle jerking or twitching • Numbness or tingling in arms or legs

(Brain Cancer, NIH: National Cancer Institute)