fath·om / ˈfa[voicedth]əm/ • n. a unit of length equal to six feet (approx. 1.8 m), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water: sonar says that we're in eighteen fathoms.• v. [tr.] 1. understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought: he couldn't fathom why she was being so anxious. 2. measure the depth of (water).DERIVATIVES: fath·om·a·ble adj.fath·om·less adj.

Fathom ★★½ 1967

Welch and her bikini fill out the title role as Fathom Harvill, a parachutist who is hired to find a nuclear triggering device that has been lost in the Mediterranean. She eventually hooks up with spy guy Peter Merriweather (Franciosa) and gets involved in a case involving priceless jewelry stolen from China. Spy spoof is oh so '60s. Based on the novel by Larry Forrester. 104m/C VHS, DVD . GB Raquel Welch, Anthony (Tony) Franciosa, Ronald Fraser, Clive Revill, Richard Briers, Tom Adams; D: Leslie Martinson; W: Lorenzo Semple Jr.; C: Douglas Slocombe; M: John Dankworth.

fathom †embrace; †cubit; length made by the outstretched arms, 6 feet. OE. fæðm, corr. to OS. faðmos pl. two arms outstretched (Du. vadem, vaam 6 feet), OHG. fadum cubit (G. faden 6 feet), ON. faðmr embrace, bosom :- Gmc. *faþmaz, f. base *faþ- :- IE. *pot- *pet- *pt-, whence also L. patēre be open, Gr. pētalos spreading, broad.
So vb. †encircle, embrace OE.; take soundings (of), get to the bottom of XVII. OE. fæðmian.

fathom Unit of water-depth measurement, originally six feet, equal to 1.83 m.

fathom A unit of water-depth measurement, originally 6 feet, equal to 1.83 m.