好词典

fathom

UK //ˈfæð.əm//US //ˈfæð.əm//

词源

源自古英语 fæthm,意为'伸展的双臂',后引申为测量单位,再发展出'理解'的比喻意义。

verb

❶ 彻底理解或领会某事,通常指难以理解的事物。表示经过深入思考后终于明白。

“I can't fathom why she made such a decision.”

(我无法理解她为何做出这样的决定。)

“Scientists are still trying to fathom the mysteries of the universe.”

(科学家仍在试图解开宇宙的奥秘。)

同义词:understand, comprehend, grasp

noun

❶ 长度单位,等于6英尺(约1.8米),主要用于测量水深。

“The ship sank in 20 fathoms of water.”

(那艘船沉在20英寻深的水中。)

“The diver descended to a depth of 15 fathoms.”

(潜水员下潜到15英寻的深度。)

同义词:six feet, depth unit

常见短语

fathom out — 通过仔细思考或调查来理解或解决某事。

“It took me hours to fathom out how the new software works.”

(我花了几个小时才弄明白新软件的工作原理。)