fathom
[ fath -uh m ]
/ ˈfæð əm /
noun, plural fath·oms, (especially collectively) fath·om.
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. Abbreviation: fath
verb (used with object)
to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand: to fathom someone's motives.
Origin of fathom
before 900; Middle English
fathme, Old English
fæthm span of outstretched arms; cognate with German
Faden six-foot measure, Old Norse
fathmr; akin to
patent
OTHER WORDS FROM fathom
fath·om·a·ble, adjective fath·om·er, noun un·fath·om·a·ble, adjective un·fath·omed, adjectiveWords nearby fathom
fatherhood,
fatherland,
fatherless,
fatherly,
fathogram,
fathom,
fathometer,
fathomless,
fatidic,
fatigable,
fatigue
Example sentences from the Web for fathom
British Dictionary definitions for fathom
fathom
/ (ˈfæðəm) /
noun
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water
mining
a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies
forestry
a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber
verb (tr)
to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound
to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of
Derived forms of fathom
fathomable, adjective fathomer, nounWord Origin for fathom
Old English
fæthm; related to Old Frisian
fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse
fathmr embrace, Old High German
fadum cubit, Latin
patēre to gape