FATH'OM, noun 1. A measure of length containing six feet, the space to which a man may extend his arms; used chiefly at sea for measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of the sea is sounding by a line and lead. 2. Reach; penetration; depth of thought or contrivance. FATH'OM, verb transitive 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling. 2. To reach; to master; to comprehend. Leave to fathom such high points as these. 3. To reach in depth; to sound; to try the depth. Our depths who fathoms. 4. To penetrate; to find the bottom or extent. I cannot fathom his design.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI