Hypertext Webster Gateway: "fathom"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fathom \Fath"om\, 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.
2. The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of
intellect; profundity; reach; penetration. [R.]
Another of his fathom they have none To lead their
business. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
2. The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the
depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to
the bottom of. --Dryden.
The page of life that was spread out before me
seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not
fathomed its deeper import. --Hawthotne.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
fathom
n 1: a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water
depth [syn: {fthm}]
2: (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in
measuring bodies of ore [syn: {fthm}]
v 1: come to understand [syn: {penetrate}, {bottom}]
2: measure depths with a sounding line, as of a body of water
[syn: {sound}]
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