'Fathom' definitions:
Definition of 'fathom'
(from WordNet)
Definition of 'Fathom'
From: GCIDE
- Fathom \Fath"om\ (f[a^][th]"[u^]m), n. [OE. fadme, fa[eth]me, AS. f[ae][eth]m fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. fa[eth]mos the outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. fa[eth]mr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. ?????????? to spread out, ??????? outspread, flat, L. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. Patent, Petal.]
- 1. 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. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration. [R.] [1913 Webster]
- Another of his fathom they have none To lead their business. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Fathom'
From: GCIDE
- Fathom \Fath"om\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Fathoming.]
- 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] --Purchas. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not fathomed its deeper import. --Hawthotne. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'fathom'
From: Easton
- Fathom (Old A.S. faethm, "bosom," or the outstretched arms), a span of six feet (Acts 27:28). Gr. orguia (from orego, "I stretch"), the distance between the extremities of both arms fully stretched out.
Synonyms of 'fathom'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absorb,
- answer,
- appraise,
- appreciate,
- apprehend,
- ascertain,
- assay,
- assess,
- assimilate,
- be acquainted with,
- be apprised of,
- be aware of,
- be cognizant of,
- be conscious of,
- be conversant with,
- be informed,
- be with one,
- bottom,
- calculate,
- calibrate,
- caliper,
- cast the lead,
- catch,
- catch on,
- check a parameter,
- clear up,
- cognize,
- comprehend,
- compute,
- conceive,
- conceptualize,
- crack,
- debug,
- decipher,
- decode,
- delve into,
- determine,
- dial,
- dig,
- dig into,
- digest,
- discern,
- disentangle,
- divide,
- divine,
- do,
- dope,
- dope out,
- estimate,
- evaluate,
- explain,
- explore,
- figure out,
- find out,
- find the answer,
- find the solution,
- follow,
- gauge,
- get,
- get hold of,
- get right,
- get the drift,
- get the idea,
- get the picture,
- go into,
- graduate,
- grasp,
- guess,
- guess right,
- have,
- have information about,
- have it,
- have it taped,
- have knowledge of,
- hit it,
- indagate,
- interpret,
- investigate,
- ken,
- know,
- learn,
- look into,
- make a sounding,
- make out,
- master,
- measure,
- mensurate,
- mete,
- meter,
- open the lock,
- pace,
- peer into,
- penetrate,
- perceive,
- pierce,
- plumb,
- plumb the depths,
- plumb-line,
- poke into,
- possess,
- prehend,
- prize,
- probe,
- pry into,
- psych,
- psych out,
- puzzle out,
- quantify,
- quantize,
- rate,
- ravel,
- ravel out,
- read,
- realize,
- recognize,
- resolve,
- riddle,
- savvy,
- search into,
- search out,
- see,
- seize,
- seize the meaning,
- sense,
- sift,
- size,
- size up,
- sling the lead,
- solve,
- sort out,
- sound,
- span,
- step,
- survey,
- take,
- take a reading,
- take in,
- take soundings,
- triangulate,
- understand,
- undo,
- unlock,
- unravel,
- unriddle,
- unscramble,
- untangle,
- untwist,
- unweave,
- valuate,
- value,
- weigh,
- work,
- work out,
- wot,
- wot of