jetsam
jetsam Lexical Profile
jetsam Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Unwanted material, equipment, or cargo that has been intentionally thrown overboard from a ship in distress to lighten its load, especially material that has subsequently washed ashore.
"After the fierce gale subsided, coastal rangers patrolled the shoreline to clear away the scattered timber and jetsam."
Discarded, miscellaneous, or useless odds and ends regarded as worthless clutter.
"Cleaning out the attic took all weekend because it was packed with decades of forgotten household jetsam."
Word Nuance & Usage
Under maritime law, 'jetsam' specifically refers to cargo intentionally thrown overboard to lighten a ship in distress, whereas 'flotsam' refers to floating wreckage or cargo lost accidentally when a ship sinks.
• Rhymes for jetsam
Word Origin & Etymology
Entered English in the 16th century as an alteration and contraction of 'jettison', derived from Anglo-French 'getaison' (the act of throwing), ultimately from Latin 'iactatio' and 'iactare' (to toss or hurl).