Jetsam

Jetsam
Jetsam Jet"sam, Jetson Jet"son, n. [F. jeter to throw: cf. OF. getaison a throwing. Cf. {Flotsam}, {Jettison}.] 1. (Mar. Law) Goods which sink when cast into the sea, and remain under water; -- distinguished from {flotsam}, goods which float, and {ligan} (or {lagan}), goods which are sunk attached to a buoy. [1913 Webster]

2. The act of throwing objects from a ship to lighten the load; jettison[1]. See {Jettison}, 1. [1913 Webster]

3. Hence: Anything thrown overboard from a ship, whether floating or not. [PJC]

4. Hence: [fig.] Objects scattered about in a disorderly manner; as, he couldn't find his sneakers among the jetsam in his room. [Colloq.] [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • jetsam — jet·sam / jet səm/ n: the part of a ship, its equipment, or its cargo that is cast overboard to lighten the load in time of distress and that sinks or is washed ashore compare flotsam Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • jetsam — see flotsam and jetsam …   Modern English usage

  • jetsam — 1560s, jottsome act of throwing goods overboard to lighten a ship, alteration and contraction of M.E. jetteson, from Anglo Fr. getteson, O.Fr. getaison a throwing (see JETTISON (Cf. jettison)). Intermediate forms were jetson, jetsome; the form… …   Etymology dictionary

  • jetsam — /jetsam/ Goods which, by the act of the owner, have been voluntarily cast overboard from a vessel, in a storm or other emergency, to lighten the ship. See also jactus jettison …   Black's law dictionary

  • jetsam — /jetsam/ Goods which, by the act of the owner, have been voluntarily cast overboard from a vessel, in a storm or other emergency, to lighten the ship. See also jactus jettison …   Black's law dictionary

  • jetsam — ► NOUN ▪ unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore. Compare with FLOTSAM(Cf. ↑flotsam). ORIGIN originally as jetson; contraction of JETTISON(Cf. ↑jettison) …   English terms dictionary

  • jetsam — [jet′səm] n. [var. of JETTISON] 1. that part of the cargo or equipment thrown overboard to lighten a ship in danger: see FLOTSAM 2. such material washed ashore 3. discarded things …   English World dictionary

  • jetsam — noun a) articles thrown overboard from a ship or boat in order to lighten the load of a ship in distress There she was, floating amongst the jetsam, like so much debris. b) discarded …   Wiktionary

  • jetsam —  , flotsam  Jetsam applies to goods that have been thrown overboard (jettisoned) at sea; flotsam describes goods that have floated free from wreckage. Historically flotsam went to the Crown and jetsam to the lord of the manor on whose land it washed… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • jetsam — See flotsam. See flotsam, jetsam …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

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