Yark

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /jɑːk/

From Middle English ȝarken, ȝerken, from Old English ġearcian ("to prepare, make ready, procure, furnish, supply"), from Proto-Germanic *garwakōną ("to prepare"), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ-, *gʰerbʰ- ("to grab, take, rake"), equivalent to yare + -k. Related to Old English ġearc ("ready, active, quick"), Old English ġearu ("prepared, ready, equipped, complete, finished, yare"). More at yare.

Full definition of yark

Verb

1. (transitive, UK dialectal) To make ready; prepare.
• 1881, Walter Gregor, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland:... Yet thou hast given us leather to yark, and leather to bark, ...
2. (transitive, obsolete) To dispose; be set in order for; be destined or intended for.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To set open; open.

Derived terms

• yarking

Origin uncertain, probably originally imitative; compare jerk etc.

Alternative forms

• yerk

Verb

1. To draw (stitches etc.) tight.
2. To hit, strike, especially with a cane or whip.
3. To crack (a whip).
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 96:he would throw a Dagger, and make a whip to yarke and lash faisoit craqueter, as cunningly as any Carter in France.

Anagrams

• Kyra