Associations to the word «Fathom»

Wiktionary

FATHOM, noun. (obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control.
FATHOM, noun. (nautical) A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.
FATHOM, noun. (by extension) Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance.
FATHOM, verb. (transitive) (archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
FATHOM, verb. (transitive) To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
FATHOM, verb. (transitive) (figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.).

Dictionary definition

FATHOM, noun. A linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth.
FATHOM, noun. (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore.
FATHOM, verb. Come to understand.
FATHOM, verb. Measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line.

Wise words

Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.
Friedrich Nietzsche