skim: Meaning and Definition of

skim

Pronunciation: (skim), [key]
— v., n. skimmed, skim•ming,
—v.t.
  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.
  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. to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.
  10. The casino skimmed two million a year.
    1. 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 fol. by off&hasp;):The casino skimmed two million a year.
    2. to take, remove, or appropriate for illegal use:to skim information from another's credit card.
—v.i.
  1. to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.
  2. to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.
  3. to become covered with a thin film or layer.
  4. to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.
—n.
  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, esp. a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.
  4. a thin layer, as of mortar.
  5. the amount taken or concealed by skimming.
  6. See
  7. scum.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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