Fathom

Fathom
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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Fathom — Comic Auteur Michael Turner Scénario Billy O Neil Vince Hernandez Geoff Johns J. T. Krul Dessin …   Wikipédia en Français

  • fathom — ● fathom nom masculin (anglais fathom) Unité anglo saxonne de longueur, utilisée pour les profondeurs marines, équivalant à 6 feet ou 2 yards (environ 1,83 m). fathom [fazɔm] n. m. ÉTYM. Mil. XVIIIe; angl. fathom « longueur couverte par les deux… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • fathom — vb Fathom, sound, plumb all mean to measure the depth (as of a body of water) typically with a weighted line. Fathom implies a measuring in fathoms (units of six feet). Sound typically suggests the use of a sounding line in measuring, but it may… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • fathom — FATHÓM s.m. (mar.) Unitate de măsură pentru lungimi, folosită la măsurarea adâncimilor, a parâmelor şi a lanţurilor de ancoră, egală cu 1,852 m. [pron. fatom. / < engl. fathom]. Trimis de LauraGellner, 21.03.2005. Sursa: DN  FATHOM TÓM/ s. m …   Dicționar Român

  • Fathom — bezeichnet: eine nautische Längeneinheit, siehe Nautischer Faden eine Geldeinheit, siehe Fathom (Geld) eine Serie des Comiczeichners Michael Turner eine Comicserie von Image Comics, siehe Fathom (Comic) Diese Seit …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • fathom — a unit of measurement of depth, is unchanged in the plural when preceded by a number, i.e. six fathom deep but several fathoms deep …   Modern English usage

  • fathom — ► NOUN ▪ a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), used in measuring the depth of water. ► VERB 1) understand after much thought: I can t fathom him out. 2) measure the depth of. DERIVATIVES fathomable adjective fathomless adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fathom — (spr. Fäddhom), englisches Maß, so v.w. Faden (s.d.) …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Fathom — (engl., spr. fädhöm, Faden), engl. Längenmaß von 2 Yards …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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