Definitions for fathom
ˈfæð əmfath·om

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. fathom, fthm(noun)

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

2. fathom, fthm(verb)

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

3. penetrate, fathom, bottom(verb)

   come to understand

4. fathom, sound(verb)

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

Wiktionary(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. fathom(Noun)

   Grasp, envelopment, control.

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

2. fathom(Noun)

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

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

3. fathom(Noun)

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

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

4. fathom(Verb)

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

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

5. fathom(Verb)

   To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.

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

6. fathom(Verb)

   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.

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

Wikipedia(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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 Dictionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Fathom(noun)

   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

   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.]

2. Fathom(noun)

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

   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.]

3. Fathom(verb)

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

   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.]

4. Fathom(verb)

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

   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.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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 Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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 Encyclopedia(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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 Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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.

How to pronounce fathom?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Kelly Incandela:

   I can't fathom the idea that someone can use an innocent child whom they've never met and who is going through a very hard time, how they can use that to benefit themselves.

2. 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.

3. George Du Maurier:

   Sick I am of idle words, past all reconciling, Words that weary and perplex and pander and conceal, Wake the sounds that cannot lie, for all their sweet beguiling; The language one need fathom not, but only hear and feel.

4. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush:

   With regards to women's health funding broadly, I misspoke, as there are countless community health centers, rural clinics, and other women's health organizations that need to be fully funded. They provide critical services to all, but particularly low-income women who don't have the access they need, i was referring to the hard-to-fathom $ 500 million in federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood -- an organization that was callously participating in the unthinkable practice of selling fetal organs. Democrats and Republicans agree we absolutely must defund them and redirect those funds to other women's health organizations.

5. William Shakespeare, "The Tempest", Act 1 scene 2:

   Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange.

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