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jettison (JET-i-suhn, -zuhn) tr.verb

1. To cast overboard or off

2. Informal. To discard (something) as unwanted or burdensome

noun

1. The act of discarding or casting overboard.

2. Jetsam.

[From Middle English jetteson, a throwing overboard of goods to lighten ship, from Anglo-Norman getteson, from Vulgar Latin *iectatio, iectation-, from *iectatus, past participle of -iectare, to throw.]

"One unexpected result came from the seismic experiment recording the impact of Intrepid on the surface after we had jettisoned it. The entire Moon rang like a gong, vibrating and resonating for almost on hour after the impact." Cortwright, Edgar M., Apollo Expeditions To The Moon, By C.Conrad,Jr./ A.B.Shepard, Jr., U.S. History, 1 Sep 1990.

This week's theme: nautical words.

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