jury-rig

[ joor-ee-rig ]
See synonyms for: jury-rigjury-rigged on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Nautical. a temporary rig to replace a permanent rig that has been disabled, lost overboard, etc.

  2. any makeshift arrangement of machinery or the like.

verb (used with object),ju·ry-rigged, ju·ry-rig·ging.
  1. to assemble quickly or from whatever is at hand, especially for temporary use: to jury-rig stage lights using automobile headlights.

  2. Nautical. to replace (a rudder, mast, etc.) with a jury-rig: We jury-rigged a fore-topmast after the storm had snapped ours off.

Origin of jury-rig

1
First recorded in 1840–50; jury2 + rig
  • Also jer·ry-rig [jer-ee-rig] /ˈdʒɛr iˌrɪg/ .

Words that may be confused with jury-rig

Words Nearby jury-rig

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use jury-rig in a sentence

  • And a little spell ago you was tellin' me you'd never be able to cruise again except under jury rig.

    Fair Harbor | Joseph Crosby Lincoln
  • If Mrs Vansittart would supply him with a crew, he believed he could fit the craft with a jury rig and take her into port.

    The First Mate | Harry Collingwood
  • I got up my jury rig—the oar and the spray shield—and took the helm.

    The Depot Master | Joseph C. Lincoln
  • She's helpless; we're not, for we've got a jury-rig under the bows.