fathom, fthm
(noun) (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
fathom, fthm
(noun) a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
fathom, sound
(verb) measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
penetrate, fathom, bottom
(verb) come to understand
Source: WordNet® 3.1
fathom (plural fathoms)
(obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control.
(units of measure, now usually nautical) An English unit of length for water depth notionally based upon the width of grown man's outstretched arms but standardized as 6 feet (about 1.8 m).
Synonyms: brace, stade (obsolete), orguia (Greek)
(units of measure) Various similar units in other systems.
(figuratively) Depth of insight, mental reach or scope.
• Shakespeare, Othello, Act I, Scene I, ll. 151-2
fathom (third-person singular simple present fathoms, present participle fathoming, simple past and past participle fathomed)
(transitive, archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
(transitive) To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
(transitive, figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend; understand (a problem etc.).
Synonyms: fathom out, figure out, puzzle out, work out
Source: Wiktionary
Fath"om, n. [fadme, faedhme, AS. fæedhm fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. faedhmos the outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. faedhmr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. Patent, Petal.]
1. A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend his arms; -- used chiefly in measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of navigable water by soundings.
2. The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration. [R.] Another of his fathom they have none To lead their business. Shak.
Fath"om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Fathoming.]
1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas.
2. The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of. Dryden. The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not fathomed its deeper import. Hawthotne.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
27 April 2024
(adjective) remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree or magnitude or effect; “a great crisis”; “had a great stake in the outcome”
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