Part 63

To father on or upon, to ascribe to, or charge upon, as one's offspring or work; to put or lay upon as being responsible. "Nothing can be so uncouth or extravagant, which may not be fathered on some fetch of wit, or some caprice of humor." Barrow.

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Fa"ther*hood (?), n. The state of being a father; the character or authority of a father; paternity.

Fa"ther-in-law` (?), n.; pl. Fathers-in-law (&?;). The father of one's husband or wife; -- correlative to son-in-law and daughter- in-law.

A man who marries a woman having children already, is sometimes, though erroneously, called their father-in-law.

Fa"ther*land" (?), n. [Imitated fr. D. vaderland. See Father, and Land.] One's native land; the native land of one's fathers or ancestors.

Fa"ther-lash`er (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A European marine fish (Cottus bubalis), allied to the sculpin; -- called also lucky proach.

Fa"ther*less, a. 1. Destitute of a living father; as, a fatherless child.

2. Without a known author. Beau. & Fl.

Fa"ther*less*ness, n. The state of being without a father.

Fa"ther*li*ness (?), n. [From Fatherly.] The qualities of a father; parantal kindness, care, etc.

Fa"ther long"legs` (?). (Zoˆl.) See Daddy longlegs, 2.

Fa"ther*ly, a. 1. Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful.

You have showed a tender, fatherly regard.

Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to a father.

Fa"ther*ship, n. The state of being a father; fatherhood; paternity.

Fath"om (f"m), n. [OE. fadme, fame, AS. fÊm fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. famos the outstretched arms, D. vadem, vaam, fathom, OHG. fadom, fadum, G. faden fathom, thread, Icel. famr fathom, Sw. famn, Dan. favn; cf. Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; to spread out, &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; outspread, flat, L. patere to lie open, extend. Cf. Patent, Petal.] 1. 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.

2. The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration. [R.]

Another of his fathom they have none To lead their business.

Shak.

Fath"om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathomed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fathoming.] 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas.

2. To measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of. Dryden.

The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not fathomed its deeper import.

Hawthotne.

Fath"om*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being fathomed.

Fath"om*er (?), n. One who fathoms.

Fath"om*less, a. 1. Incapable of being fathomed; immeasurable; that can not be sounded.