GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Skim , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skimmed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Skimming.] [Cf. Sw. skymma to darken. √158. See Scum.]
   To clear (a liquid) from scum or substance floating or lying thereon, by means of a utensil that passes just beneath the surface; as, to skim milk; to skim broth.
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   To take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.
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   To pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to glide swiftly along the surface of.
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   Homer describes Mercury as flinging himself from the top of Olympus, and skimming the surface of the ocean.
   Hazlitt.
   
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   Fig.: To read or examine superficially and rapidly, in order to cull the principal facts or thoughts; as, to skim a book or a newspaper.
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2.       
   Skim, v. i.
   To pass lightly; to glide along in an even, smooth course; to glide along near the surface.
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   Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain,
   Flies o'er the unbending corn, and skims along the main.
   Pope.
   
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   To hasten along with superficial attention.
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   They skim over a science in a very superficial survey.
   I. Watts.
   
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   To put on the finishing coat of plaster.
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3.       
   Skim, a. Contraction of Skimming and Skimmed.
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   Skim coat, the final or finishing coat of plaster. -- Skim colter, a colter for paring off the surface of land. -- Skim milk, skimmed milk; milk from which the cream has been taken.
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