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Fathom

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A measure of length, equal to six feet. The word is probably derived from the Teutonic word "fad," which signifies the thread or yarn drawn out in spinning to the length of the arm, before it is run upon the spindle. Webster; Minsheu.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

Six feet.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A measure of length, equal to six feet. Used as a nautical measure. The word is probably derived from the Teutonic word fad, which signifies the thread or yarn drawn out in spinning to the length of the arm, before It is run upon the spindle. Webster; Minsheu.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A nautical measure of sir -feet in length. Occasionally used as a superficial measure of land and in mining, and in that case it means a square fathom or thirty-six square feet Nahaolelua v. Kaaa-hu, 9 Hawaii, 601.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

A nautical measure of six feet In length, _