i can't fathom meaning

The original meaning of the noun fathom was “the two arms outstretched.” A fathom was the length represented by the arms of a full-grown man held straight out to either side. 15. Here Are Our Top English Tips, The Best Articles To Improve Your English Language Usage, The Most Common English Language Questions. ", Fathom is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm "outstretched arms." 8 years ago. I simply can't fathom quantum physics. Canadians can't fathom the length of our political campaigns. Fathom comes to us from Old English fæthm, meaning "outstretched arms." om. I just can't fathom people who could have a quiet life, who don't have to be controversial for a living, but do it anyway. Anonymous. Chaotic/confused thoughts that he can't make sense of, something like that. Pin down [understand, fathom out] - English Only forum So big that most of us can't "fathom" it. Like you, I struggle to fathom what this will mean for farmers, ranchers, and rural America. What is the American word for the British flick knife? A fathom is a measurment of the depth of water in the sea. We sailed into the bay and dropped anchor in five fathoms of water. Could he fathom the meaning of the colors? “I still can't fathom how somebody would do that to somebody.” I cannot fathom that,” and calling Lewandowski “a political shill.” I can't fathom it. This meaning is where the original nautical measurement originated. Fathom is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm "outstretched arms." 4 years ago. What is the American word for the British torch? a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. I still can't fathom out what she meant: 2. Don't have an account yet? 2. A scientist may fathom the magnitude of a discovery, or consider carefully all its implications. The Old English and modern English noun also refers to a unit of length used to measure the depth of water. Learn more. Think, depth of understanding. I can only begin to fathom the horrors the soldiers endured during the war. 0 0. 8. im confused. What is the American word for the British football? A phantom is like a ghost. A fathom is a measurement of 1.8 metres or 6 feet, used when referring to the depth of water. fathom definition: 1. a unit for measuring the depth of water, equal to 1.8 metres or 6 feet 2. to discover the…. 2. to contemplate or think about with effort He couldn't fathom why she'd taken such exception to Eleanor. Fathom originates from Old English fæthm, "length of the outstretched arms." (2) Even if we were just friends, I still didn't want to fathom another girl in the picture. oms 1. But I can't fathom anyone reading stories like this and not feeling the sting and burn of utter, abject shame. 2. verb [no cont] If you cannot fathom something, you are unable to understand it, although you think carefully about it. 4 Answers. Example. It’s equal to about 6 feet or 1.8 meters. 16. To penetrate to the meaning or nature of; comprehend. open_in_new Link to source ; warning Request revision ; Jag kan inte riktigt föreställa mig, herr Böge, vad ni menar när ni säger felaktiga beräkningsmetoder. Lv 7. I can't even fathom basicly means I can't understand. It might mean something like 'my thoughts are scattered and I can't make any sense or pattern of them'. To say that you cant't fathom something means you can't understand it properly. There is a difference of a fathom in the mean height of the tides. “The shipwreck sits on the ocean floor at 2000 fathoms.” Fathom is also a verb that means to understand. Relevance. |@Micah_6789 It's old in US English when used to mean you understand. (4) He could never fathom ever giving up his absolute free will. fathomed definition: 1. past simple and past participle of fathom 2. to discover the meaning of something: 3. to…. Whether you're a student, an educator, or a lifelong learner, Vocabulary.com can put you English Mr Böge, I cannot quite fathom what you mean by defective methods of calculation. (1) But I can't fathom anyone reading stories like this and not feeling the sting and burn of utter, abject shame. 8 years ago. He couldn't fathom out what the man could possibly mean: 3. What is the American word for the British holiday? 9 years ago . a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth, measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line, a unit of measurement of volume or capacity, express as a number or measure or quantity, know and comprehend the nature or meaning of. i can't fathom why definition in English dictionary, i can't fathom why meaning, synonyms, see also 'fathomer',fathomable',Fathometer',fathomless'. 1. a unit of mesuring distance that is 6 feet or about equal to the length of a grown man's outstreched arms. What exactly does this quote mean? Use of "Fathom" word in sentences, examples. (1) But I can't fathom anyone reading stories like this and not feeling the sting and burn of utter, abject shame. more_vert. The original sense was ‘something which embraces’, (plural) ‘the outstretched arms’; hence, a unit of measurement based on the span of the outstretched arms, later standardized to six feet. Relevance? can't fathom definition, meaning, English dictionary, synonym, see also 'can't',you can't win',you can or can't talk',can't tell (or doesn't know)chalk from cheese', Reverso dictionary, English definition… Learn more. To fathom something is to understand it thoroughly, and is usually used in the negative, as in "I can't fathom why he doesn't want to go along with us." Definition of fathom Fathom is a system of measurement for measuring the depth of water. A fathom is a measurement of 6 feet or 1.8 meters, used when referring to the depth of water. For years people have been trying to fathom the mysteries of the whale's song: 5. Favorite Answer. 1usually with negative Understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought. 2. A fathom is the unit of measurement used in calculating sea depth. It is hard to fathom the pain felt at the death of a child: 4. It's free and takes five seconds. That might not be true in UK English. Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition … 5 Answers . Tips: Fathom is often used in the context of "not" being able to understand, as in, "I can't fathom why you did that." oms 1. on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement. Sign up. 19. To determine the depth of; sound. Are You Learning English? 18. A fathom is one of those units of linear measurement that we learned at school (at least we did when I was at an English grammar school in the 14th century) and now can't quite remember just what length they refer to. What is the American word for the British braces? I can't point you to any tests, sorry, but I can tell you why FLAC etc can sound better than MP3. What is the American word for the British crisps? 4 0. xcvfvf. Favorite Answer. Fathom Definition. SumDude. What is the American word for the British number plate? To understand something thoroughly is "to get to the bottom of it.". I was watching an OMFGitsjackanddean video and Jack said "I cant even fathom..!" Understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought. I’ll bet you’ve heard of the famous musical “Phantom of the Opera.” A fathom is a measurement of depth in water. Answer Save. It’s hard to imagine it; even having worked several winters in acute admissions in an NHS hospital and then having gone through the pandemic, I can’t still can’t quite fathom how bad things are going to get. What does that mean? (2) Even if we were just friends, I still didn't want to fathom another girl in the picture. To penetrate to the meaning or nature of; comprehend. Sign up. Source(s): https://shrink.im/a7Wmb. 2. transitive verb [no cont, oft with brd-neg] If you cannot fathom something, you are unable to understand it, although you think carefully about it. It's free and takes five seconds. Definition of fathom in English English dictionary Grasp, envelopment, control A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans To measure the depth of, take a sounding of To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.) A unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water. Jessi sat frozen, unable to fathom that the simple red gem was capable of such magic. My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations. 22. Answer Save. "I can't fathom why he did that." 5 0. I can't for the life of me fathom what this means. The noun fathom, which now commonly refers to a measure (especially of depth) of six feet, was originally used for the distance, fingertip to fingertip, created by stretching one's arms straight out from the sides of the body. What is the American word for the British tick? I can't fathom her out — she says one thing then does another: 6. , comprehend, work out, fathom out, make sense of, grasp, catch, follow, perceive, make out, penetrate, divine, search out, ferret out, puzzle out, take in, assimilate, absorb, get to the bottom of. 23. The Old English and modern English noun also refers to a unit of length used to measure the depth of water. The literal meaning of the verb, to fathom is “to encircle with the arms.” For example, a tree trunk might be too thick for a man to fathom (i.e., encircle with his arms). (3) She didn't have time to fathom the mystery of books, though. Erika. - English Only forum though clear enough in a literal sense, in a figurative one were difficult to fathom - English Only forum to further fathom.. - English Only forum Unable to fathom the implied meaning of this extract - English Only forum She could not fathom whether it was curiosity, devotion, gratitude, or apprehension and distrust--but the expression on all the faces was identical. e.g. (3) She didn't have time to fathom the mystery of books, though. ‘But I can't fathom anyone reading stories like this and not feeling the sting and burn of utter, abject shame.’ ‘She couldn't fathom him having any of those anymore.’ ‘It really did give one's mind a good exercise, trying to fathom out the clues, whether they be ‘red herrings’ or helpful hints.’ Old English fæthm, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vadem, vaam and German Faden ‘six feet’. Jeremy's passive attitude was hard to fathom: 7. Does English Have More Words Than Any Other Language? Lexico's first Word of the Year! Definition of I can only begin to fathom ... Fathom = imagine/understand You'd use this phrase to mean "I can't truly understand" or "I can't even imagine" Ex. (4) He could never fathom ever giving up his absolute free will. Lv 5. What is the American word for the British first floor? 9 years … fath‧om1 /ˈfæðəm/ noun [ countable] a unit for measuring the depth of water, equal to six feet or about 1.8 metres Examples from the Corpus fathom • In Taylor's Level the ground was equally as hard and the rate had been increased there to £9 a fathom. As a secondary usage it means you understand the subject being discussed or don't if worded in the negative. We sailed into the bay and dropped anchor in five fathoms of water. To fathom something is to understand it thoroughly, and is usually used in the negative, as in "I can't fathom why he doesn't want to go along with us. 16. It's too 'deep' for you to understand. ‘But I can't fathom anyone reading stories like this and not feeling the sting and burn of utter, abject shame.’ ‘She couldn't fathom him having any of those anymore.’ ‘It really did give one's mind a good exercise, trying to fathom out the clues, whether they be ‘red herrings’ or helpful hints.’ 14. It's here! What is the American word for the British tea towel? To determine the depth of; sound. Tell you why FLAC etc can sound better than MP3 the life me! Outstretched arms. a difference of a child: 4 Germanic origin ; to! Much thought 2 ) Even if we were just friends, I still n't. To the meaning or nature of ; comprehend definition of fathom 2. to the... Are scattered and I ca n't `` fathom '' it. `` )! Could never fathom ever giving up his absolute free will understand ( a difficult problem or an enigmatic person after... A child: 4 the life of me fathom what this will mean for farmers, ranchers, and America... 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Is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm `` outstretched arms. the depth of water equal!

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