Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FATH'OM, v.t.

1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling.
2. To reach; to master; to comprehend. Leave to fathom such high points as these. Dryden.
3. To reach in depth; to sound; to try the depth. Our depths who fathoms. Pope.
4. To penetrate; to find the bottom or extent. I can not fathom his design.