GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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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.1913 Webster
- To take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.1913 Webster
- To pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to glide swiftly along the surface of.1913 Webster
Homer describes Mercury as flinging himself from the top of Olympus, and skimming the surface of the ocean.
Hazlitt.1913 Webster - 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.1913 Webster
- 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.