Meanings
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1
noun
(mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.
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2
noun
a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.
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3
verb
measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.
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4
verb
come to understand
The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English fathome, fadom, fadme (“unit of length of about six feet; depth of six feet for nautical soundings; (loosely) cubit; ell”) [and other forms], from Old English fæþm, fæþme (“encircling or outstretched arms, bosom, embrace; envelopment; control, grasp, power; fathom (unit of measurement); cubit”) [and other forms], from Proto-West Germanic *faþm (“outstretched arms, embrace; fathom (unit of measurement)”), from Proto-Germanic *faþmaz (“outstretched arms, embrace; fathom (unit of measurement)”), from Proto-Indo-European *pet-, *peth₂- (“to spread out; to fly”). Cognates * A...