General Average

In commercial law. A contribution made by the proprietors in general of a ship or cargo, towards the loss sustained by any individual of their number, whose property has been voluntarily sacrificed for the common safety; as where in a storm, jettison is made of any goods, or sails or masts are cut away levanda navis causA, (to lighten the vessel.) 2 Steph, Com, 179.

See Average.