Fathom vs. Grasp — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Fathom and Grasp
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Compare with Definitions
Fathom
A fathom is a unit of length in the imperial and the U.S. customary systems equal to 6 feet (1.8288 m), used especially for measuring the depth of water. The fathom is neither an International Standard (SI) unit, nor an internationally-accepted non-SI unit.
Grasp
A grasp is an act of taking, holding or seizing firmly with (or as if with) the hand. An example of a grasp is the handshake, wherein two people grasp one of each other's like hands.
Fathom
A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), used principally in the measurement and specification of marine depths.
Grasp
To take hold of or seize firmly with the hand, the foot, another body part, or an instrument
The elephant grasped the branch with its trunk.
Fathom
To penetrate to the meaning or nature of; comprehend.
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Grasp
To hold with the arms; embrace.
Fathom
To determine the depth of; sound.
Grasp
To take hold of intellectually; comprehend.
Fathom
Originally, the distance between an adult man's arms stretched out away from the sides of his torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to his body, measured from the tips of the longest fingers of each hand, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres); subsequently used as a unit for water depth but now generally replaced by the metre.
Grasp
To make a motion of seizing, snatching, or clutching.
Fathom
(figuratively)
Grasp
To show eager and prompt willingness or acceptance
Grasps at any opportunity.
Fathom
An unspecified depth.
Grasp
The act of grasping.
Fathom
Depth of insight; mental reach or scope.
Grasp
A firm hold or grip.
Fathom
(obsolete)
Grasp
An embrace.
Fathom
The act of stretching out one's arms away from the sides of the torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to the body.
Grasp
The ability or power to seize or attain; reach
Victory in the election was within her grasp.
Fathom
Someone or something that is embraced.
Grasp
Understanding; comprehension
"only a vague intuitive grasp of the meaning of greatness in literature" (Gilbert Highet).
Fathom
(figuratively) Control, grasp.
Grasp
To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand.
Fathom
(transitive)
Grasp
To understand.
I have never been able to grasp the concept of infinity.
Fathom
To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
Grasp
To take advantage of something, to seize, to jump at a chance.
Fathom
To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
Grasp
Grip.
Fathom
(figuratively) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
I can’t for the life of me fathom what this means.
Grasp
Understanding.
Fathom
(obsolete) To embrace (someone or something).
Grasp
That which is accessible; that which is within one's reach or ability.
The goal is within my grasp.
Fathom
(intransitive)
Grasp
To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.
Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff.
Fathom
To measure a depth; to sound.
Grasp
To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.
Fathom
(figuratively) To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.
Grasp
To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive.
As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by strength subdued.
Fathom
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.
Grasp
A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms.
Fathom
The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration.
Another of his fathom they have noneTo lead their business.
Grasp
Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
Fathom
To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span.
Grasp
Forcible possession; hold.
The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.
Fathom
To measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of.
The page of life that was spread out before me seemed dull and commonplace, only because I had not fathomed its deeper import.
Grasp
Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them under survey.
The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not, in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors.
Fathom
A linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
Grasp
The handle of a sword or of an oar.
Fathom
(mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
Grasp
Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
He has a good grasp of accounting practices
Fathom
Come to understand
Grasp
The limit of capability;
Within the compass of education
Fathom
Measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
Grasp
A firm controlling influence;
They kept a firm grip on the two top priorities
He was in the grip of a powerful emotion
A terrible power had her in its grasp
Grasp
The act of grasping;
He released his clasp on my arm
He has a strong grip for an old man
She kept a firm hold on the railing
Grasp
Hold firmly
Grasp
Get the meaning of something;
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