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}… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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
