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.

Reach; penetration; depth of thought or contrivance.

To encompass with the arms extended or encircling.

To reach; to master; to comprehend. Leave to fathom such high points as these.

To reach in depth; to sound; to try the depth. Our depths who fathoms.

To penetrate; to find the bottom or extent. I cannot fathom his design.