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Definition fathom

Etymology

From Middle English fathome, fadome, from Old English f��m, f��me (�outstretched or encircling arms, embrace, grasp, protection, interior, bosom, lap, breast, womb, fathom, cubit, power, expanse, surface�), from Proto-Germanic *fa�maz (�embrace�), from Proto-Indo-European *pet- (�to spread out, extend�). Cognate with Low German fadem, faem (�a cubit, thread�), Dutch vadem, vaam (�fathom�), German Faden (�thread, filament, fathom�), Danish favn (�embrace, fathom�), Norwegian Bokm�l favn (�embrace, fathom�), Swedish famn (�the arms, bosom, embrace�), Icelandic fa�mur (�embrace�), Latin pate?, Ancient Greek ????????? (pet�nnumi), Ancient Greek ??????? (p�talos) [whence English petal].

Noun

fathom (plural fathoms)

1. (obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control.
2. (units of measure, now usually nautical) An English unit of length for water depth notionally based upon the width of grown man's outstretched arms but standardized as 6 feet (about 1.8 m).
3. (units of measure) Various similar units in other systems.
4. (figuratively) Depth of insight, mental reach or scope.

Verb

fathom (third-person singular simple present fathoms, present participle fathoming, simple past and past participle fathomed)

1. (transitive, archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
2. (transitive) To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
3. (transitive, figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend; understand (a problem etc.).

Results 65 Words with the letters FATHOM

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