°(nautical) A measure of
length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six
feet, now used mainly for measuring
depths in
seas or
oceans.
verb
°To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to
embrace.
°To measure the depth of, take a
sounding of.
synonyms:
fathom out, figure out, puzzle out, work out