Your ShelfYour Projects
Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Fathom

Fāth'om, n.

noun

n. [A-S. fādhem, fādhm, L. Ger. fadem, D. vadem, vaam, Icel. fadmír, N. H. Ger. faden; O. Sax. fadhm, embrace; O. H. Ger. fadam, fadum, M. H. Ger. vademe, vaden, N. H. Ger. faden, thread; both from Goth. fahan, O. H. Ger. fāhan, N. H. Ger. fahen, to take, seize.]

Sense 1. A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend his arms; — used chiefly at sea, for measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of the sea, in sounding by a line and lead.

Sense 2. The measure or extent of one's capacity; depth of intellect or contrivance; profundity. [Rare.]

Another of his fathom they have none To lead their business. Shak.

Fäth'om, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. FATHOMED; p. pr. & vb. n. FATHOMING.]

Sense 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.]

Sense 2. To measure by a sounding-line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of. “Our depths who fathoms.” Pope.

Leave to fathom such high points as these. Dryden.