jetsam
pronunciation
How to pronounce jetsam in British English:
UK [ˈdʒetsəm]
How to pronounce jetsam in American English:
US [ˈdʒɛtsəm]
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- Noun:
- the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm
- the floating wreckage of a ship
Word Origin
- jetsam (n.)
- 1560s, jottsome "act of throwing goods overboard to lighten a ship," alteration and contraction of Middle English jetteson, from Anglo-French getteson, Old French getaison "a throwing" (see jettison). Intermediate forms were jetson, jetsome; the form perhaps was deformed by influence of flotsam. From 1590s as "goods thrown overboard;" figurative use by 1861. For distinction of meaning, see flotsam.
Example
- 1. Flotsam and jetsam , odds and sods , 10 cents off flako corn muffin mix .
- 2. According to international officials whose job is to cope with human flotsam and jetsam , the problem of statelessness is growing fast , despite a modest decline in the number of refugees in the strict sense .