Obs. [f. next vb.]
1. A smart sudden blow or stroke, as with a whip; a flick, flip; a cut or thrust (with a sword).
a. 1634. Randolph, Muses Looking-glasse, I. iv.
| My Apish imitation, Brother Beadle, | |
| Does as good service to reforme bad manners | |
| As your proud whip, with all his ferkes, and jerkes. |
a. 1679. Earl Orrery, Guzman (1693), 40. Both of them had a Fierk at each of my Haunches, and I have had a Fierk at each of theirs.
2. A trick, dodge, subterfuge. Also, a freak, prank, caprice.
1611. Barrey, Ram Alley, III., in Hazl., Dodsley, X. 329.
| W. Small. Sir, Leave this firk of law, or by this light, | |
| I’ll give your throat a slit. |
1636. Davenant, Witts, in Dodsley, Old Plays (1780), VIII. 498.
| Why, this was such a firk of piety | |
| I ne’er heard of: bury her gold with her! |
1682. H. More, Annot. Glanvill’s Lux O., 211. A pretty juvenile Ferk of Wit for a grave ancient Divine to use.
3. ? A dance; ? a partner for a dance.
1632. Shirley, Hyde Park, II. ii. Come, choose your firk, for dance you shall.
