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Jettisoning: meaning, definitions and examples

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jettisoning

 

[ ˈdʒɛtɪsənɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

discarding cargo

Jettisoning refers to the act of deliberately throwing overboard goods or cargo from a vessel or an aircraft. This practice is often employed in emergency situations to lighten the load and ensure the safety of the transport when it becomes unstable or is at risk of capsizing. The term can also refer to the act of discarding something that is no longer deemed necessary or useful. It is commonly associated with maritime activities but is also applicable in a broader context, including metaphorical usage related to ideas or responsibilities.

Synonyms

abandon, cast off, discard, dump, shed

Examples of usage

  • The crew had to jettison the cargo to prevent the ship from sinking.
  • In a storm, jettisoning some supplies was the only way to save the crew.
  • He decided to jettison his old beliefs in pursuit of new ideas.

Translations

Translations of the word "jettisoning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abandonar

🇮🇳 छोड़ना

🇩🇪 abwerfen

🇮🇩 membuang

🇺🇦 скидання

🇵🇱 porzucenie

🇯🇵 投棄する

🇫🇷 jeter

🇪🇸 deshacerse de

🇹🇷 atmak

🇰🇷 버리기

🇸🇦 التخلص من

🇨🇿 odhození

🇸🇰 odhadzovanie

🇨🇳 抛弃

🇸🇮 odvrnitev

🇮🇸 losun

🇰🇿 тастау

🇬🇪 მიტოვება

🇦🇿 atmaq

🇲🇽 desechar

Etymology

The word 'jettison' originates from the late Middle English term 'jetteson', which itself comes from the Old French 'jettison', derived from the verb 'jeter', meaning 'to throw'. This Old French term can be traced further back to the Latin 'jacere', which means 'to throw' or 'to cast'. Historically, the practice of jettisoning cargo has roots in maritime activities, particularly during dangerous voyages where ships would have to discard excess weight to prevent capsizing or sinking. The term evolved over time and has since been adopted in various contexts, including aviation and metaphorical uses related to shedding unnecessary burdens in life or work.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,109, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.