fathom

Meanings

1. 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.

2. 2
   noun

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

   The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.

3. 3
   verb

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

   The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.

4. 4
   verb

   come to understand

   The sailors measured the depth in fathoms.

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...

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images