Fathom is a measure, as Webster so elegantly puts it: A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend his arms; -- used chiefly in measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of navigable water by soundings.

Fathomless, so deep that you cannot measure. To measure depth in water is to sound.

Fath"om*less, a.

1.

Incapable of being fathomed; immeasurable; that can not be sounded.

And buckle in a waist most fathomless. Shak.

2.

Incomprehensible.

The fathomless absurdity. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.