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.

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.

3. fathom(Noun)

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

4. fathom(Verb)

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

5. fathom(Verb)

   To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.

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.

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

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

2. Fathom(noun)

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

3. Fathom(verb)

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

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

Origin: [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. Keondra White Facebook -RRB- White:

   It was just pure disgust, something you can’t fathom seeing that.

2. Mike Kisting:

   I can't fathom why a person would want to do that, he was lucky I wasn't there that day.

3. 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.

4. Brett Hull:

   Being productive at that age is a remarkable feat and it's hard to fathom that he could really do it.

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.

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