Definitions
1.NounA 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.
2.NounAn internationally standardized version of this unit, the international fathom (= 1.8288 metres = 6 feet).
3.NounA measure of distance to shore: the nearest point to shore at which the water depth is the value quoted."After we'd rowed for an hour, we found ourselves stranded ten fathoms from shore."
4.NounAn unspecified depth.
Depth of insight; mental reach or scope.
5.NounAn unspecified depth.
6.NounDepth of insight; mental reach or scope.
7.NounThe 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.
Control, grasp.
8.NounThe 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.
9.NounSomeone or something that is embraced.
10.NounControl, grasp.
11.VerbTo measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or length of something.
Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of."I can’t for the life of me fathom what this means."
12.VerbTo measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
13.VerbTo encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or length of something.
14.VerbOften followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of."I can’t for the life of me fathom what this means."
15.VerbTo embrace (someone or something).
16.VerbTo measure a depth; to sound.
To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.
17.VerbTo measure a depth; to sound.
18.VerbTo conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.