Lexic.us

Definition of Fathom

1. Noun. A linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth.

2. Verb. Come to understand.

3. Noun. (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore.

4. Verb. Measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line.

Definition of Fathom

1. n. A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend his arms; -- used chiefly in measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of navigable water by soundings.

2. v. t. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span.

Definition of Fathom

1. Noun. (obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control. ¹

2. Noun. (nautical) A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans. ¹

3. Noun. (context: by extension) Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace. ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To measure the depth of, take a sounding of. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Fathom

1. to understand [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: understand

Lexicographical Neighbors of Fathom

fatherlands fatherlasher fatherlashers fatherless fatherlessness fatherlike fatherliness fatherlinesses fatherly fathers

fathers-in-law fathers-to-be fathers of chapel fathership fatherships fathom (current term) fathomable fathomed fathomer fathomers

fathometer fathoming fathomless fathomlessly fathomlessness fathoms fatidic fatidical fatiferous fatigabilities

Literary usage of Fathom

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors by Charles Wells Moulton (1902)
"FERDINAND COUNT fathom 1753 I think "Count fathom" (though a bad, affected style) written with a better intention, and Melvin's character a good one, ..."

2. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology by Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (1894)
"Off the coast of Florida the 100 fathom line is from four to nine miles ... Off the Mosquito Bank, south of Rosalind Bank, the 6OO fathom line is nearly ..."

3. Life of Tobias George Smollett by David Hannay (1887)
"Peregrine Pickle " followed in 1751, and "Ferdinand Count fathom "in 1753. These three stories may most appropriately be taken together. ..."

4. The Mining Magazine (1853)
"In Forsyth's Shaft, sinking under the bottom of the old mine, the lode is four feet wide, worth $30 per fathom. In Crystal Shaft, sinking under the eastern ..."

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