fathom
IPA: fˈæðʌm
noun
- (chiefly nautical, historical, US) A man's armspan, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres). Later used to measure the depth of water, but now generally replaced by the metre outside American usage.
- (nautical, US) A measure of distance to shore: the nearest point to shore at which the water depth is the value quoted.
- (figuratively)
- (chiefly in the plural) An unspecified depth.
- (archaic or obsolete) Depth of insight; mental reach or scope.
- (obsolete)
- The act of stretching out one's arms away from the sides of the torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to the body.
- Someone or something that is embraced.
- (figuratively) Control, grasp.
verb
- (transitive)
- (also figuratively) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
- (archaic or obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
- (figuratively) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
- (obsolete) To embrace (someone or something).
- (intransitive)
- To measure a depth; to sound.
- (figuratively) To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.
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Examples of "fathom" in Sentences
- Tthe time frame is certainly fathomable.
- I realize the fathom of the situation now.
- There's no fathomable way of this material.
- I can't fathom the details of the template.
- Nobody could fathom the depth of his sadness.
- I can't begin to fathom the countless agonies.
- It's the rest of the argument that I couldn't fathom.
- How could you possibly fathom the depth of my knowledge
- They will be able to compete with every fathomable opponent.
- With the fathom there is a clear connection to the cable and chain.
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