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Fathom vs Administrator - What's the difference?

fathom | administrator |

As nouns the difference between fathom and administrator

is that fathom is (obsolete) grasp, envelopment, control while administrator is one who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager.

As a verb fathom

is (archaic) to encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.

fathom

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control.
  • (nautical) A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.
  • (by extension) Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Another of his fathom they have none / To lead their business (Othello, I.i. 151-2).

    Synonyms

    *(measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms) brace

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
  • To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
  • (figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.).
  • I can't for the life of me fathom what this means.

    Synonyms

    * fathom out, figure out, puzzle out, work out

    administrator

    English

    Alternative forms

    * administratour (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager
  • (legal) A person who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority
  • (computing) One who is responsible for software installation, management, information and maintenance of a computer or network
  • Synonyms

    * (one who administers affairs) chief, head, head man, controller, comptroller, foreman, organizer, overseer, superintendent, supervisor

    Derived terms

    * admin