fæþm

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *faþmaz, from Proto-Indo-European *peth₂-. Cognate with Old Saxon faþmos; Dutch vadem, vaam; Old High German fadum (German Faden), Old Norse faðmr (Icelandic faðmur, Danish favn, Swedish famn). The Proto-Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek πετάννυμι (petánnumi) and Latin pateō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fæθm/, [fæðm]

Noun

fæþm m (nominative plural fæþmas)

1. the outstretched arms; embrace, bosom
2. envelopment, grasp, control, power
3. fathom (measurement); cubit

Descendants

• Middle English: fathome, fadome
  • English: fathom