skim

skim (skim)

transitive verb skimmed, skim′·ming

1. to clear (a liquid) of floating matter
2. to remove (floating matter) from a liquid
to coat or cover with a thin layer a pond skimmed with ice
to look at hastily or carelessly; glance through (a book, etc.) without reading word for word
1. to glide or pass swiftly and lightly over
2. to throw so as to cause to bounce or ricochet swiftly and lightly to skim a flat stone across a pond
Slang to refrain from reporting for tax purposes (a percentage of income, gambling gains, etc.)

Etymology: ME skimen, prob. akin to scum

intransitive verb

to move along swiftly and lightly over a surface, through space, etc.; glide; sail
to make a rapid or careless examination, as of a book: usually with over or through
to become thinly coated, as with scum

noun

adjective

To pass lightly and swiftly
soar, float, sail, dart; see fly 1.
To remove the top; especially, to remove cream
brush, scoop, ladle, separate; see dip 2, remove 1.
To read swiftly
look through, brush over, scan; see browse, examine 1, read 1.

Object

milk: However, skimmed milk isn't suitable for children under five years old.
crossbar: Salt then conjured a superb 20-yard volley that skimmed the crossbar.
powder: If you're very worried then substitute 1/2 cup of skim milk powder for 2 eggs, but don't replace more than that.
pebble: Relax with an ice cream and enjoy Kent's coast or simply skim pebbles in the sea.
surface: Bring to the boil, skimming the surface of any foam.
semi: Nutritional Information A bowl of porridge with skimmed or semi skimmed milk provides a low fat, high carbohydrate breakfast or snack.

Preposition: over

surface: Never was boy more taken by surprise; he went skimming over the surface like a stone from a sling.

Modifying Another Word

lightly: These have been skimmed lightly in the lathe with each wheel mounted on a tapered arbor.
merely: Most travelers will start their journey in Sydney, merely skimming the surface of what's on offer in this dynamic city.
quickly: I quickly skimmed through the media to be reminded that I could boot from the rescue floppy.
just: We would advise just skimming through these reports in case anything stands out.

Preposition: across

surface: The Bullet is now free to skim across the surface, back to you with the minimum of effort.

Followed by a transitive particle

off: Every few hours, skim off more being careful to only skim off the cream, not the milk.
over: We have noted already his tendency to skim over issues without explaining them properly.

Particle object:

scum: Gently bring to a simmer and skim off the scum as it forms on the surface.
fat: To make the gravy skim off any excess fat from the roasting tin.

Followed by an intransitive particle

through: Often the ball would skim through fast in a spray of water.
over: It is what is left out or skimmed over that causes major concern.
along: The right whales for example, feed by skimming along at or near the water surface.
off: The top 23 drivers - from all classes, remember - would be skimmed off to go into the final.

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