A variant or archaic spelling of 'fathom,' a unit of measurement equal to six feet, used especially for measuring water depth.
An alternative or obsolete form of 'fathom,' which derives from Old English 'fæthm' meaning the length of outstretched arms or an embrace. The 'fathmur' spelling reflects older English orthography.
The word 'fathom' comes from arm-length measurements—sailors literally used their own bodies as measuring tools, and that's why a fathom equals about the span of outstretched arms.
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