jetsam

views updated Jun 08 2018

jet·sam / ˈjetsəm/ • n. unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, esp. material that has been discarded to lighten the vessel.Compare with flotsam.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

jetsam

views updated May 29 2018

jetsam goods thrown overboard to lighten a vessel and afterwards washed ashore. XVI. Early forms jetson, -sen, later -sam (cf. FLOTSAM), contr. form of JETTISON.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

jetsam

views updated May 11 2018

jetsam unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, especially material that has been discarded to lighten the vessel. Recorded from the late 16th century, originally as jetson: a contraction of jettison.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Jetsam

views updated May 21 2018

JETSAM

The casting overboard of goods from a vessel, by its owner, under exigent circumstances in order to provide for the safety of the ship by lightening its cargo load.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law