Dictionary
skim
Pronunciation: (skim), [key]
—v., skimmed, skim•ming,
—n.
—
v.t.
1. to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle:
to skim the cream from milk.
2. to clear (liquid) thus:
to skim milk.
3. to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water):
The sailboat skimmed the lake.
4. to throw in a smooth, gliding path over or near a surface, or so as to bounce or ricochet along a surface:
to skim a stone across the lake.
5. to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.
6. to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer:
Ice skimmed the lake at night.
7. to take the best or most available parts or items from:
Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.
8. to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something:
The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.
9. Metall.to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.
10. Slang.
a. to conceal a portion of (winnings, earnings, etc.) in order to avoid paying income taxes, commissions, or the like on the actual total revenue (sometimes fol. by
off):
The casino skimmed two million a year.
b. to take, remove, or appropriate for illegal use:
to skim information from another's credit card.
—
v.i.
1. to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.
2. to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.
3. to become covered with a thin film or layer.
4. Slang.to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.
—
n.
1. an act or instance of skimming.
2. something that is skimmed off.
3. a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, esp. a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.
4. a thin layer, as of mortar.
5. Slang.the amount taken or concealed by skimming.
6. See
skim milk.
7. Obs.scum.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
