jury-rig

[ joor-ee-rig ]

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

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