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).

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.]

FreebaseRate 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

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   Priya

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   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

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   Fred

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   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. Mary King:

   I ’m watching this as their social worker. I can not fathom what they themselves are feeling and what these little boys are feeling.

2. David Kessler:

   The reality is the death rate in families is 100 %, everyone is going to die eventually, but our minds just can't fathom that.

3. Farkhunda Muhtaj:

   They left their homes and left everything behind, they can’t fathom that they’re out of Afghanistan.

4. 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.

5. Tami Ruckman:

   The victim is always in the place of accusing someone of something nobody else could fathom that they would ever do, her story just sounds dead on, to me.

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