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fathomable

 - 3 dictionary results

fath⋅om

  [fath-uhm] noun, plural fath⋅oms, (especially collectively) fath⋅om, verb
Use fathomable in a Sentence
–noun
1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. Abbreviation: fath
–verb (used with object)
2. to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
3. to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand: to fathom someone's motives.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME fathme, OE fæthm span of outstretched arms; c. G Faden six-foot measure, ON fathmr; akin to patent

Related forms:
fath⋅om⋅a⋅ble, adjective
fath⋅om⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fathomable
fath·om   (fāth'əm)   
n.   Abbr. fth. or fm.
A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), used principally in the measurement and specification of marine depths.
tr.v.   fath·omed, fath·om·ing, fath·oms

  1. To penetrate to the meaning or nature of; comprehend.

  2. To determine the depth of; sound.


[Middle English fathme, from Old English fæthm, outstretched arms; see petə- in Indo-European roots.]
fath'om·a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fathom  (n.)
O.E. fæðm "length of the outstretched arm" (a measure of about six feet), also "arms, grasp," and, figuratively "power," from P.Gmc. *fathmaz "embrace" (cf. O.N. faðmr "embrace, bosom," O.S. fathmos "the outstretched arms," Du. vadem "a measure of six feet"), from PIE *pot-/*pet- denoting "stretching out" (cf. Gk. petalon "leaf," L. patere "to be open"). The v. meaning of "take soundings" is 1607; its figurative sense of "get to the bottom of, understand" is 1625.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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