U.S. colloq. [perh. f. CHIRK v.: but prob. associated with cheer.] ‘Lively, cheerful, in good spirits.’ ‘It is in popular use in New England’ (Webster, 1828).
1828. in Webster.
1834. Major Downing’s Letters, 20 (Bartlett). The Gineral looked as chirk and lively as a skipper.
1876. Holland, Sev. Oaks, vii. 93. Be’n purty chirk this summer?
1885. U. S. Mag., in Free Ch. Monthly, Aug., 244/1. He was as chirk and bright a little fellow as ever was.
Chirking vbl. sb. and ppl. a. See CHIRK v.
