Definitions from Wiktionary ( )

▸ noun:  (chiefly nautical, historical, US) A man's armspan, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres). Later used to measure the depth of water, but now generally replaced by the metre outside American usage.
▸ noun:  (nautical, US) A measure of distance to shore: the nearest point to shore at which the water depth is the value quoted.
▸ noun:  (figuratively)
▸ noun:  (chiefly in the plural) An unspecified depth.
▸ noun:  (archaic or obsolete) Depth of insight; mental reach or scope.
▸ noun:  (obsolete)
▸ noun:  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.
▸ noun:  Someone or something that is embraced.
▸ noun:  (figuratively) Control, grasp.
▸ verb:  (transitive)
▸ verb:  (also figuratively) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
▸ verb:  (archaic or obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
▸ verb:  (figuratively) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
▸ verb:  (obsolete) To embrace (someone or something).
▸ verb:  (intransitive)
▸ verb:  To measure a depth; to sound.
▸ verb:  (figuratively) To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate.

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