Part 4196

<hw>Fa"ther*li*ness</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[From <er>Fatherly</er>.]</ety> <def>The qualities of a father; parantal kindness, care, etc.</def>

<h1>Father longlegs</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fa"ther long"legs`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>. <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>See <er>Daddy longlegs</er>, 2.</def>

<h1>Fatherly</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fa"ther*ly</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful.</def>

<blockquote>You have showed a tender, <b>fatherly</b> regard. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Of or pertaining to a father.</def>

<h1>Fathership</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fa"ther*ship</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The state of being a father; fatherhood; paternity.</def>

<h1>Fathom</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fath"om</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[<???/OE. <ets>fadme</ets>, <ets>fa&edh;me</ets>, AS. <ets>f\'91&edh;m</ets> fathom, the embracing arms; akin to OS. <ets>fa&edh;mos</ets> the outstretched arms, D. <ets>vadem</ets>, <ets>vaam</ets>, fathom, OHG. <ets>fadom</ets>, <ets>fadum</ets>, G. <ets>faden</ets> fathom, thread, Icel. <ets>fa&edh;mr</ets> fathom, Sw. <ets>famn</ets>, Dan. <ets>favn</ets>; cf. Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/ to spread out, <?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/<?/ outspread, flat, L. <ets>patere</ets> to lie open, extend. Cf. <er>Patent</er>, <er>Petal</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<blockquote>Another of his <b>fathom</b> they have none To lead their business. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Fathom</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fath"om</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Fathomed</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Fathoming</er>.]</wordforms> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Purchas.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of.</def>

<i>Dryden.</i>

<blockquote>The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not <b>fathomed</b> its deeper import. <i>Hawthotne.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Fathomable</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fath"om*a*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Capable of being fathomed.</def>

<h1>Fathomer</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fath"om*er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who fathoms.</def>

<h1>Fathomless</h1> <Xpage=546>

<hw>Fath"om*less</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Incapable of being fathomed; immeasurable; that can not be sounded.</def>

<blockquote>And buckle in a waist most <b>fathomless</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Incomprehensible.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>fathomless</b> absurdity. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>