skimming

American  

[skim-ing] / ˈskɪm ɪŋ /

noun

1. Usually skimmings. floating matter that is removed from the surface of a liquid.

2. Metallurgy. skimmings, dross.

3. Slang. the practice of concealing gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, commissions, etc..

   An audit of their cleaning business uncovered several years of skimming.

4. the practice of electronically appropriating account numbers or other confidential data for illegal use.

   A chip is embedded in the credit card to prevent skimming.

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Etymology

Origin of skimming

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skemmyng; skim, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The moon was almost full, and by its light I watched them fly to the lake, some dipping down and skimming the surface to drink.

From Literature

An ocean teeming with sea life, from tiny coral polyps to massive whales to birds skimming the surface of the waves.

From Literature

That spring morning she had flown over the sea with her bare feet skimming the water, her boots in her pockets, the ocean spray flecking her ankles, laughing with the speed and joy of it.

From Literature

When reading this advert, you would be forgiven for skimming over the words "first steps", as a turn of phrase.

From BBC

Cleanup teams are skimming and pumping oil from the tributary and deploying absorbent booms and pads to recover oil trapped along the creek bed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bribery
• crime
• exploitation
• extortion
• fraud
• graft
• malfeasance
• nepotism