What does fathom mean?
Definitions for fathom
ˈfæð əmfath·om
Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word fathom.
Princeton's WordNet
fathom, fthm(noun)
a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
fathom, fthm(verb)
(mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
penetrate, fathom, bottom(verb)
come to understand
fathom, sound(verb)
measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
Wiktionary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.]
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.]
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.]
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
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
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
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
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.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of fathom in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of fathom in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9
Examples of fathom in a Sentence
The mind holds a specific image of who we currently are, not who we are yet to become. Subconscious fears change since it can't fathom life as the new-self. In that, it will fight, create stories, excuses and limiting theories on why one should remain where they are. Why would it do such a thing? Because it's what it knows. It knows it exists in the current reality and has no guarantees that it will exist in the new one. It also knows you (its host) is alive with the current reality and has no guarantees if you will be alive if you make the transition to the new one. Just trust in that you're enabling in the divine will of the universe to unfold in order to move the world forward. Yes, your work will elevate the level of human consciousness. That is how important you are!
At first I was heartbroken... then I got angry, 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.
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.
I can't fathom that it would be so difficult to place a catheter line, it really sounds like it was a disorganized mess.
Keondra White Facebook -RRB- White:
It was just pure disgust, something you can’t fathom seeing that.
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Translations for fathom
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- سبر الغورArabic
- клафтер, проумявам, фатом, разбирамBulgarian
- comprendre, sondejar, braça, abraçarCatalan, Valencian
- sáh, proniknout, porozumět do hloubkyCzech
- fatte, favn, begribeDanish
- Klafter, verstehen, umarmen, Faden, ergründen, loten, ausloten, begreifen, sondierenGerman
- ahondar, abrazar, comprender, braza, profundizar, sondar, sondearSpanish
- süldEstonian
- syli, syleillä, luodata, käsittääFinnish
- favnurFaroese
- saisir, comprendre, brasseFrench
- brazaGalician
- थाह लेनाHindi
- kitalál, megért, öl, átölel, rájönHungarian
- comprendere, braccio, capireItalian
- hiroJapanese
- ჩასწვდება, სწვდებაGeorgian
- aronui, mārō, whangangaMāori
- depaMalay
- vademDutch
- favnNorwegian
- sążeńPolish
- sondar, compreender, braçaPortuguese
- înțelege, apuca, braț, pătrunde, îmbrățișa, măsura, sonda, fathomRomanian
- расследовать, морская сажень, постигать, обхватить, понимать, измерять, делать промер лотом, выяснять, осознавать, фатом, исследовать, фадом, разузнаватьRussian
- tr=vyamaSanskrit
- хват, hvatSerbo-Croatian
- siahaSlovak
- objeti, izmeriti, dognati, seženjSlovene
- omfamna, famna om, loda, famnSwedish
- ஆழத்தைTamil
- kulaçTurkish
- 捉摸Chinese
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"fathom." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 18 Jan. 2021. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/fathom>.