jettison
jettison Lexical Profile
jettison Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To abandon or discard an idea, plan, policy, or obligation that is no longer wanted, practical, or advantageous.
"Faced with budget cuts, the committee decided to jettison the most expensive onderdelen of the proposal and focus on core services."
To throw or drop cargo, fuel, or equipment from an aircraft or ship in order to lighten the vessel's load during an emergency.
"The pilot had to jettison excess fuel over the ocean before making an emergency landing."
• noun
The deliberate act of throwing cargo, fuel, or equipment overboard from a ship or aircraft in distress to lighten its load and improve stability.
"The captain ordered the immediate jettison of heavy deck cargo to prevent the freighter from capsizing in the storm."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'jettison' (the act of throwing cargo overboard) with its doublet 'jetsam' (the discarded cargo itself that sinks or washes ashore).
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 15th century from Anglo-French getteson ('act of throwing'), from Late Latin jactationem, derived from Latin jactare ('to toss about'), a frequentative of jacere ('to throw'). It is an etymological doublet of 'jetsam'.