verb

jolt

to jolt, to jerk, to shake, to shock

The old car jolted along the road.

The old car jolted along the road.

The announcement jolted everyone.

The announcement jolted everyone.

((sth.)) to move with a sudden jerky motion The old car jolted along the road.

((sb./sth.)) to shock (sb.) The announcement jolted everyone.

Synonyms: jerk, shake, shock, startle

Origin uncertain, possibly onomatopoeic, suggesting a sudden movement.

Think of a 'jolt' of electricity from a lightning 'bolt'. The words sound similar. It's also used as a noun for a sudden shock.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.