51Թ

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View synonyms for

fathom

[fath-uhm]

noun

plural

fathoms 
,

plural

fathom .
  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

/ ˈæðə /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound

  2. to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • fathomable adjective
  • fathomer noun
  • unfathomable adjective
  • unfathomed adjective
  • ˈڲٳdz noun
  • ˈڲٳdz adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of fathom1

First recorded before 900; Middle English fathme, Old English æٳ “span of outstretched arms”; cognate with German Faden “six-foot measure,” Old Norse fathmr; akin to Latin 貹ŧ “to stand open” ( patent )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of fathom1

Old English æٳ ; related to Old Frisian fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse fathmr embrace, Old High German fadum cubit, Latin 貹ŧ to gape
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Some chief executives tell me they cannot fathom why a government with such a huge majority can sometimes appear to be scared of its own shadow.

From

It is hard to fathom the need for such confidentiality.

From

Mr Waheed told the BBC he could not fathom why his local mosque was hit in the strike which he claims injured "dozens of men and women" in his neighbourhood in Muzaffarabad.

From

It is tough to even fathom how much Yamal has achieved at his age.

From

Such bipartisanship is hard to fathom in today’s divided times.

From

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fathogramFathometer