skim

[skim]

verb (used with object)

skimmed, skimming 

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.

   Synonyms: scan

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. Metallurgy.,  to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.

10. Slang.,  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 followed byoff ).

    The casino skimmed two million a year.

11. to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use.

    A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.

verb (used without object)

skimmed, skimming 

1. to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.

2. to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.

   Synonyms: glance

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.

noun

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, especially 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. skim milk.

7. Obsolete.,  scum.

skim

/ skɪm /

verb

1. (tr) to remove floating material from the surface of (a liquid), as with a spoon

   to skim milk

2. to glide smoothly or lightly over (a surface)

3. (tr) to throw (something) in a path over a surface, so as to bounce or ricochet

   to skim stones over water

4. to read (a book) in a superficial or cursory manner

5. to cover (a liquid) with a thin layer or (of liquid) to become coated in this way, as with ice, scum, etc

noun

1. the act or process of skimming

2. material skimmed off a liquid, esp off milk

3. the liquid left after skimming

4. any thin layer covering a surface

Other Word Forms

• unskimmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skim¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skymen, skemen, variant of scumen “to skim,” perhaps from Old French escumer “to remove scum”; scum

Word History and Origins

Origin of skim¹

C15 skimmen, probably from scumen to skim; see _scum

Example Sentences

Each competitor is allowed three skims and stones must bounce at least twice on water before sinking.

Read more on BBC

"While you walk off to try another machine, the skimming device has already stolen your card details," Stapleton explains.

Read more on BBC

But that is still only skimming the surface.

Read more on BBC

According to DOJ officials, Graur would steal EBT card information by attaching “sophisticated skimming devices” to ATMs and other sales machines across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ramsey’s book is just one arm of the multi-pronged complaints that have been lodged against her, grievances that “Shark Whisperer” only skims the surface covering.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• browse 
• flip through 
• glance 
• leaf through 
• scan 
• skip 
• thumb through www.thesaurus.com