Old English edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-West Germanic *faþm.

Cognate with Old Saxon faþmos; Dutch vadem, vaam; Old High German fadum (German Faden), Old Norse faðmr (Icelandic faðmur, Danish favn, Swedish famn). The Proto-Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek πετάννυμι (petánnumi) and Latin pateō.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

fæþm m (nominative plural fæþmas)

  1. the outstretched arms; embrace, bosom
  2. envelopment, grasp, control, power
  3. fathom (measurement); cubit

Declension edit

Descendants edit

  • Middle English: fadme