fathom
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1fath·om
noun \ˈfa-thəm\Definition of FATHOM
1
: a unit of length equal to six feet (1.83 meters) used especially for measuring the depth of water —sometimes used in the singular when qualified by a number <five fathom deep>
2
See Examples of FATHOM
- The water here is five fathoms deep.
Origin of FATHOM
Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm outstretched arms, length of the outstretched arms; akin to Old Norse fathmr fathom, Latin patēre to be open, pandere to spread out, Greek petannynai
First Known Use: before 12th century
2fathom
verbDefinition of FATHOM
intransitive verb
1
: probe
2
: to take soundings
transitive verb
1
: to measure by a sounding line
2
: to penetrate and come to understand <couldn't fathom the problem>
— fath·om·able \ˈfa-thə-mə-bəl\ adjective
Examples of FATHOM
- <the pilot had to continually fathom the river, which drought conditions had lowered to unprecedented levels>
First Known Use of FATHOM
1607
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