Definitions for FATHOM
ˈfæð əmfath·om

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fathom, fthmnoun

   a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth

2. fathom, fthmverb

   (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore

3. penetrate, fathom, bottomverb

   come to understand

4. fathom, soundverb

   measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. fathomnoun

   Grasp, envelopment, control.

2. fathomnoun

   A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.

3. fathomnoun

   Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance.

4. fathomverb

   To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.

5. fathomverb

   To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.

6. fathomverb

   To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.).

   I can't for the life of me fathom what this means.

7. Etymology: From fathome, fadome, from fæþm, fæþme, from faþmaz, from pet-. Cognate with fadem, faem, vadem, vaam, Faden, favn, famn, faðmur.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. FATHOMnoun

   Etymology: fædm, Saxon.

   1. A measure of length containing six foot, or two yards; the space to which a man can extend both arms.

   The extent of this fathom, or distance between the extremity of the fingers of either hand upon expansion, is equal unto the space between the sole of the foot and the crown. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours, b. iv. c. 5.

   The arms spread cross in a streight line, and measured from the end of the long finger on one hand to that of the other, made a measure equal to the stature, and is named a fathom. William Holder, on Time.

   2. It is the usual measure applied to the depth of the sea, when the line for sounding is called the fathom-line.

   Dive into the bottom of the deep,
   Where fathom line could never touch the ground. William Shakespeare, H. IV.

   3. Reach; penetration; depth of contrivance; compass of thought.

   Another of his fathom they have none
   To lead their business. William Shakespeare, Othello.

2. To Fathomverb

   Etymology: from the noun.

   1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling.2. To reach; to master.

   Leave, leave to fathom such high points as these;
   Nor be ambitious, ere the time, to please. John Dryden, Pers.

   3. To sound; to try with respect to the depth.

   ’Tis too strong for weak heads to try the heights and fathom the depths of his flights. Henry Felton, on the Classicks.

   Our depths who fathoms? Alexander Pope.

   4. To penetrate into; to find the bottom or utmost extent: as, I cannot fathom his design.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Fathom

   A fathom is a unit of length in the imperial and the U.S. customary systems equal to 6 feet (1.8288 m), used especially for measuring the depth of water.There are two yards (6 feet) in an imperial fathom. Originally the span of a man's outstretched arms, the size of a fathom has varied slightly depending on whether it was defined as a thousandth of an (Admiralty) nautical mile or as a multiple of the imperial yard. Formerly, the term was used for any of several units of length varying around 5–5 1⁄2 feet (1.5–1.7 m).

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fathom

   A fathom is a unit of measurement used to determine the depth of water, equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters). Additionally, the term "fathom" can figuratively mean to comprehend or understand something deeply or thoroughly.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. Fathomnoun

   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. Fathomnoun

   the measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration

3. Fathomverb

   to encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span

4. Fathomverb

   the measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of

5. Etymology: [OE. fadme, fame, AS. fm fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. famos the outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. famr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. to spread out, outspread, flat, L. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. Patent, Petal.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Fathom

   A fathom = 1.8288 metres, is a unit of length in the imperial and the U.S. customary systems, used especially for measuring the depth of water. There are two yards in an imperial or U.S. fathom. Originally based on the distance between a man's outstretched arms, the size of a fathom has varied slightly depending on whether it was defined as a thousandth of an nautical mile or as a multiple of the imperial yard. Formerly, the term was used for any of several units of length varying around 5–5+¹⁄2 feet. The name derives from the Old English word fæðm, corresponding to the old Frisian word "fadem" meaning embracing arms or a pair of outstretched arms. In Middle English it was fathme. A cable length, based on the length of a ship's cable, has been variously reckoned as equal to 100 or 120 fathoms. At one time, a quarter meant one-fourth of a fathom. Abbreviations: f, fath, fm, fth, fthm.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Fathom

   fath′um, n. a nautical measure=6 feet: depth: (Shak.) penetration.—v.t. to try the depth of: to comprehend or get to the bottom of.—adjs. Fath′omable; Fath′omless.—n. Fath′om-line, a sailor's line and lead for taking soundings. [A.S. faethm; Dut. vadem, Ger. faden.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Fathom

   a measure of 6 ft. used in taking marine soundings, originally an Anglo-Saxon term for the distance stretched by a man's extended arms; is sometimes used in mining operations.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fathom

   [Anglo-Saxon, fædm]. The space of both arms extended. A measure of 6 feet, used in the length of cables, rigging, &c., and to divide the lead (or sounding) lines, for showing the depth of water.--To fathom, is to ascertain the depth of water by sounding. To conjecture an intention.

Matched Categories

1. • Measure
   • Understand

How to pronounce FATHOM?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say FATHOM in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of FATHOM in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of FATHOM in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of FATHOM in a Sentence

1. Chuck Schumer:

   Let there be no doubt, these disasters are magnified precisely because of climate change, i can not fathom the level of cognitive dissonance required to schedule these votes one right after the other.

2. Arnold Donald:

   As we continue our discussions with Cuba, and in anticipation of Fathom travelers being on equal footing with those who travel by air, we are accepting bookings from all travelers, including Cuba-born individuals, however, if Cuba’s decision is delayed beyond May 1, we will delay the start of our sailings.

3. from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Translation by Edward Fitzgerald):

   You know, my Friends, with what a brave CarouseI made a Second Marriage in my house; Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and LineAnd "Up-and-down" by Logic I define, Of all that one should care to fathom, IWas never deep in anything but - Wine.

4. Matt Fairchild:

   I don't want to hurt ever, i can't fathom the idea of being in pain and not having a way out.

5. Joseph Cohen:

   I can't fathom that it would be so difficult to place a catheter line, it really sounds like it was a disorganized mess.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=FATHOM
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Fathom
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=FATHOM
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fathom
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/FATHOM
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=FATHOM
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=FATHOM
9. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Fathom
10. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=FATHOM