[f. as prec. + -Y.]
A. adj. Characterized by jerks or sudden abrupt or twitching movements; often fig., spasmodic.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., i. (1891), 6. They are the talkers that have what may be called jerky minds.
1875. W. Houghton, Sk. Brit. Insects, 101. They move rapidly through the water by jerky motions.
1887. Spectator, 26 March, 422/1. A style which is so jerky that it may be described as dislocated.
B. sb. A springless wagon; a shaky jolting vehicle. U.S.
1884. W. Shepherd, Prairie Exper., 108. The liveliest travelling was by jerky, the ordinary American farm-waggon without springs.
1894. Outing (U.S.), 398/1. Now a wabbling, jumping ‘jerky’ does the stage work for the line.
