n. [ OE. fadme, faðme, AS. fæðm fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. faðmos the outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. faðmr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; to spread out, &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; outspread, flat, L. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. Patent, Petal. ]
Another of his fathom they have none
To lead their business. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not fathomed its deeper import. Hawthotne. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Capable of being fathomed. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who fathoms. [ 1913 Webster ]
a.
And buckle in a waist most fathomless. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
The fathomless absurdity. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]