fathom
/ˈfæð.əm/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*fathmaz — embrace, outstretched arms
Overview
Meaning Now
- A unit of length equal to six feet (approximately 1.8 meters), primarily used for measuring the depth of water.
- A unit of timber measure equal to six feet in length, breadth, and height.
Literal older meaning
The span of the outstretched arms.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
fæthm
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The fathom evolved from the common human practice of using the body as a measuring tool. In early Germanic culture, the distance between the tips of the middle fingers with arms fully extended was a convenient 'natural' unit for rope, cloth, and depth measurement in navigation.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*fathmaz
“the space covered by the outstretched arms”
- Old English
fæthm
“span of the arms, embrace”
- Middle English
fathme
“six feet as a measure of depth”
- Modern English
fathom
“standard unit of maritime depth”
Connections
Word parts
fathom
root
outstretched arms as a measure
Related across languages
Old Norse
faðmr
embrace, fathom
German
Faden
thread, fathom
Dutch
vadem
fathom
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Related to fathom
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.