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.

to clear (liquid) thus

to skim milk.

to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water)

The sailboat skimmed the lake.

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.

to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.

to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer

Ice skimmed the lake at night.

to take the best or most available parts or items from

Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.

to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something

The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.

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

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 fol. by off )

The casino skimmed two million a year.

to take, remove, or appropriate for illegal use

to skim information from another's credit card.

to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.

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

to become covered with a thin film or layer.

Slang . to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.

an act or instance of skimming.

something that is skimmed off.

a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, esp. a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.

a thin layer, as of mortar.

Slang . the amount taken or concealed by skimming.

skim milk.

Obsolete . scum.

verb

pour

verb

brush , cream , dip , get the cream , glance , graze , ladle , ream , scoop , separate , shave , topnotes:peruse means examine or consider with attention and in detail; skim means examine hastily , carom , coast , dart , float , fly , kiss , ricochet , sail , scud , shoot , skate , skip , skirr , skitter , smooth along , soar , tripnotes:peruse means examine or consider with attention and in detail; skim means examine hastily , browse , brush over , examine , flip through , give the once-over , glance over , go once over lightly , hit the high spots , leaf through , read , read swiftly , riff , riffle , run eye over , scan , thumb through , turn the pagesnotes:peruse means examine or consider with attention and in detail; skim means examine hastily , dap , flick , dip into , glance at , leaf , run through , thumb , glide , study , throw

noun

flick , graze