fathom

A man's armspan, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres). Later used to measure the depth of water, but now generally replaced by the metre outside American usage.

An internationally standardized version of this unit, the international fathom (= 1.8288 metres = 6 feet).

[in the plural] (figurative) An unspecified depth.

(US) A measure of distance to shore: the nearest point to shore at which the water depth is the value quoted.

(figurative, no longer used) Depth of insight; mental reach or scope.

(figurative, no longer used) Control, grasp.

(no longer used) The act of stretching out one's arms away from the sides of the torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to the body.

(no longer used) Someone or something that is embraced.

To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.

(figurative) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.

To measure a depth; to sound.

(figurative) To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.

(no longer used) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.

(no longer used) To embrace (someone or something).