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View synonyms for fathom

fathom

[ fath-uhm ]

noun

, plural fath·oms, (especially collectively) fath·om.
  1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. : fath


verb (used with object)

  1. to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
  2. to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand:

    to fathom someone's motives.

fathom

/ ˈfæðəm /

noun

  1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water
  2. mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies
  3. forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber


verb

  1. to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound
  2. to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of

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Derived Forms

  • ˈfathomable, adjective
  • ˈfathomer, noun

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Other Words From

  • fathom·a·ble adjective
  • fathom·er noun
  • un·fathom·a·ble adjective
  • un·fathomed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom1

First recorded before 900; Middle English fathme, Old English fæthm “span of outstretched arms”; cognate with German Faden “six-foot measure,” Old Norse fathmr; akin to Latin patēre “to stand open” ( patent )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom1

Old English fæthm ; related to Old Frisian fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse fathmr embrace, Old High German fadum cubit, Latin patēre to gape

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Example Sentences

Prior to 3BLACKDOT, Frey was the founder and CEO of Full Fathom Five, a publishing company that has collaborated with game developers such as Glu Mobile and Niantic, where he helped develop IP alongside games.

From Digiday

Perhaps, instead, they had reached a desperation we can't quite fathom.

The celebrity of Li is hard to fathom in terms that American fans—tennis savvy or not—can fully comprehend.

As a powerful woman she presents problems for men trying to fathom her.

Now, my daughter is older and I can barely fathom that she is a teenager.

Now another monologue, also spoken by a woman who has experienced more than most can fathom, has left me entranced and devastated.

There were to be many things yet which Felipe could not fathom in this lovely, sorrowing, sunny sister of his.

This is some passing whim of your wife, due to some cause or causes which you and I needn't try to fathom.

There is no protection there for the ships against submarines except Enos harbour and Enos is only one fathom deep.

From the portress Cibot to the Marquise d'Espard, not one of his women has an evil thought that he does not fathom.

Maud Barrington's eyes were grateful, but there was something that Winston could not fathom behind her smile.

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