skimmer

American  

[skim-er] / ˈskɪm ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that skims: an adept stone skimmer.

   skimmers who just glance at the text;

   an adept stone skimmer.

2. a shallow utensil, usually perforated, used in skimming liquids.

3. an electronic device used surreptitiously to appropriate information from the magnetic strip on a credit or debit card for illegal use.

   Authorities have verified that skimmers were secretly installed at several local gas pumps.

4. any of several gull-like birds of the family Rynchopidae, that skim the water with the elongated lower mandible immersed while in search of food.

5. a stiff, wide-brimmed hat with a shallow flat crown, usually made of straw.

6. a woman's A-line dress with side darts that shape it slightly to the body.

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skimmer British  

/ ˈskɪmə /

noun

1. a person or thing that skims

2. any of several mainly tropical coastal aquatic birds of the genus Rhynchops, having long narrow wings and a bill with an elongated lower mandible for skimming food from the surface of the water: family Rynchopidae, order Charadriiformes

3. a flat perforated spoon used for skimming fat from liquids

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Etymology

Origin of skimmer

First recorded in 1350–1400; skim + -er ¹; replacing Middle English skemour, skymour, variants of schumour, from Middle French (e)scumoir “ladle for skimming”; scum

Example Sentences

Dozens of bright red flame skimmer dragonflies chase around a hand-dug pond and rubble-strewn stream.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2024

The Navy has also kept a skimmer on standby so it can remove any pollutants quickly.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Fry a few pakoras at a time for 5 to 7 minutes, turning the pakora occasionally with a skimmer or slotted spoon to promote even browning.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2023

Schwab reimburses A.T.M. fees, and this way you’re protected against bigger losses if your data is stolen by an A.T.M. skimmer.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022

Then he wandered across the garden from the pool, leaving the skimmer behind.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

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