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fathom

fath·om

fathom

 
 
pronunciation:
fae thm
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: noun
inflections: fathom, fathoms
definition: a unit of length equal to six feet, used to measure the depth of water or mines.
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part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: fathoms, fathoming, fathomed
definition 1: to measure or determine the depth of; sound.
synonyms:
measure, plum, sound
similar words:
plumb
definition 2: to get to the bottom of or understand completely.
At first, she could not fathom his motives, but after a little investigation she saw clearly how he would gain from this scheme.He had never really fathomed that his wife had loved him beyond measure.[verb + (that) + clause ]
synonyms:
apperceive, ascertain, plumb, understand
similar words:
comprehend, divine, get, grasp, penetrate, perceive, see, sense
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derivation: fathomable (adj.)
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  knowledge, measurement, water