Fathom
['fæð(ə)m] or ['fæðəm]
Definition
(noun.) (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore.
(noun.) a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth.
(verb.) measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line.
Checked by Emma--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) 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.
(n.) The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration.
(v. t.) To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span.
(v. t.) The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of.
Inputed by Alphonso
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Six feet, two yards.
v. a. [1]. Sound, try the depth of, measure by a sounding-line.[2]. Divine, penetrate, reach, understand, comprehend.
Typed by Lena
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Gauge, pierce, measure, sound, probe
ANT:Survey, glance, scan, overlook, miss, graze, skim
Typist: Wolfgang
Definition
n. a nautical measure=6 feet: depth: (Shak.) penetration.—v.t. to try the depth of: to comprehend or get to the bottom of.—adjs. Fath′omable; Fath′omless.—n. Fath′om-line a sailor's line and lead for taking soundings.
Edited by Fergus
Examples
- Of all wells, from one fathom to six or seven, the water flew out at the top with a vehement motion. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Let me do myself the honour of making you acquainted with her; after which, I will leave you to fathom for yourself--if you can. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- One never knows what she has, sir: she is so cunning: it is not in mortal discretion to fathom her craft. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- At some loss to fathom Mr Boffin's notions of a tight will, Lightwood felt his way. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Your censor-pencil scored it with condemnatory lines, whose signification I strove vainly to fathom. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Who is to fathom it? Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He could not fathom them. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- It is shown that at the depth of 43,528 fathoms below the surface of the earth, air is only one fourth less heavy than mercury. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- He went down to his room, and buried John Harmon many additional fathoms deep. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- We apply our measure to uniform extension, meting out the waters by fathoms or space by the sun's diame ter, and even subject time to arbitrary divisions. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Thus John Rokesmith in the morning, and it buried John Harmon still many fathoms deeper than he had been buried in the night. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Down, down with him, fifty fathoms down; his struggles grew fainter and fainter, until they wholly ceased. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- On deep five fathoms, and anchored fast to the bottom. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The houses sunk outright, thirty or forty fathoms deep. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Fancying you to have fathomed his secret. Jane Austen. Emma.
- The scenes that followed, convinced her that she had not yet fathomed the obscure gulph into which she had plunged. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Checker: Lola