fathomlessadj.
/ˈfað(ə)mləs/, U.S. /ˈfæðəmləs/ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > excessively large > to be clasped in the arms
fathomless1609
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. ii. 29 Will you..buckle in, a waste most fathomles, With spanes and inches. View more context for this quotation
2. That cannot be measured with a fathom line; of measureless depth. Often of a metaphorical ‘abyss’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > extension downwards or depth > [adjective] > very
groundlessc888
bottomlessc1400
profound?a1425
neal1574
soundlessc1595
insoundable1602
gulfy1607
unbottomed1615
depthless1619
unsoundable1629
chin-deep1634
fathomless1638
abysming1644
unfounded1648
abysmal1656
plumbless1665
unfathomablea1676
chasmy1793
fathom-deep1835
plummetlessc1861
chasmal1871
abyssal1903
1638 G. Sandys Paraphr. Songs Old & New Test. Exod. xv. 11 in Paraphr. Divine Poems God, in the fathomlesse Profound, Hath all his choice Commanders drown'd.
1644 J. Milton Of Educ. 2 Fadomles and unquiet deeps of controversie.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 13 That fathomless abyss of Reason of State.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. vii. 58 Adown..Plunge the whole waters, so precipitous, So fathomless a fall.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Ode to Memory iii, in Poems 60 The half attained futurity, Though deep not fathomless.
1871 E. F. Burr Ad Fidem xv. 293 Passing up through fathomless azure.
3. figurative. That cannot be penetrated or fully understood; incomprehensible. Cf. fathom v. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > [adjective]
uncouthc897
unnimlyc1225
incomprehensiblea1340
unsearchablec1384
unknowable?c1400
investigablea1425
uncomprehensiblea1425
unthinkablec1445
imperscrutablec1450
inscrutablec1450
inopinable?a1475
incomprenable1502
unspectable?1504
incogitablec1522
uncogitable1529
impenetrable1531
inimaginable1534
inexplicable1555
unsensible1555
unscrutable1562
unfashionable1563
unpenetrable1581
unexcogitable1592
ineffable1598
inexcogitable1599
indivinable1603
ininvestigable1604
incapable1605
searchless?1606
uncomprehensive1609
unconceivable1611
undivinable1611
unimaginable1611
unexplicable1615
unintelligible1616
unapprehensible?1617
unfathomable1617
imprehensible1622
ununderstandablea1631
indeprehensible1633
indiscernible1635
inscrute1639
inapprehensiblea1641
indiscoverable1640
unexaminable1641
impervestigable1643
fathomless1645
inconceivable1646
indeterminable1646
inexplorable1646
insearchable1647
incomprehended1652
comprehendlessa1654
incomprehensive1656
untraceable1661
uninvestigablea1677
unintelligent1683
incognoscible1691
thought-transcendinga1711
uncognizable1720
acataleptic1727
undescriptive1744
elusive1751
impalpable1781
inaccessible1796
unconjecturable1806
uncognoscible1821
unascertainable1827
unfixable1831
unguessable1832
unrealizable1832
unsurveyable1833
hard-shelled1835
unintellective1837
undeemed1845
graspless1849
unconjectured1850
incognizable1852
ungraspable1853
unreadable1853
super-cerebral1854
elusory1856
trans-conscious1865
intangible1880
uncatchable1892
unspelt1892
unplumbable1895
unknowledgeable1920
indiscutable1933
1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 30 Heer lies the fadomles absurdity.
1713 E. Young Poem on Last Day i. 17 Oh Joys unmixt, and fathomless Delight!
1883 E. Clodd in Knowledge 15 June 352/2 The fathomless mystery of the universe.
1891 Spectator 14 Feb. His ignorance..is fathomless.
Derivatives
ˈfathomlessly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > extension downwards or depth > [adverb] > very deeply
unfathomably1695
fathomlessly1822
abysmally1869
1822 Ld. Byron Werner iv. i. 506 His death was fathomlessly deep in blood.
1878 in G. P. Lathrop Masque of Poets 29 The smile so fathomlessly bland.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1609