2. To hasten along with superficial attention.
They skim over a science in a very superficial survey.
I. Watts. 3. To put on the finishing coat of plaster.
Skim
(Skim), a. Contraction of Skimming and Skimmed.
Skim coat,
the final or finishing coat of plaster. — Skim colter, a colter for paring off the surface of
land. — Skim milk, skimmed milk; milk from which the cream has been taken.
Skim
(Skim), n. Scum; refuse. Bryskett.
Skimback
(Skim"back`) n. (Zoöl.) The quillback. [Local, U.S.]
Skimble-scamble
(Skim"ble-scam`ble) a. [A reduplication of scamble.] Rambling; disorderly; unconnected.
[Colloq.]
Such a deal of skimble-scamble stuff.
Shak. Skimitry
(Skim"i*try) n. See Skimmington.
Skimmer
(Skim"mer) n.
1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed.
2. (Zoöl.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus Rhynchops, allied to the terns, but
having the lower mandible compressed and much longer than the upper one. These birds fly rapidly
along the surface of the water, with the lower mandible immersed, thus skimming out small fishes. The
American species (R. nigra) is common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called also scissorbill,
and shearbill.
3. (Zoöl.) Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, as the sea clams,
and large scallops.
Skimmerton
(Skim"mer*ton) n. See Skimmington.
Skimming
(Skim"ming) n.
1. The act of one who skims.
2. That which is skimmed from the surface of a liquid; — chiefly used in the plural; as, the skimmings of
broth.
Skimmingly
(Skim"ming*ly), adv. In a skimming manner.
Skimmington
(Skim"ming*ton) n. [Etymol. uncertain. Perhaps the name of some notorius scold.] A
word employed in the phrase, To ride Skimmington; that is to ride on a horse with a woman, but behind
her, facing backward, carrying a distaff, and accompanied by a procession of jeering neighbors making
mock music; a cavalcade in ridicule of a henpecked man. The custom was in vogue in parts of England.
Skimp
(Skimp) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skimped ; p. pr. & vb. n. Skimping.] [Cf. Skinch, Scamp, v. t.]
1. To slight; to do carelessly; to scamp. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
2. To make insufficient allowance for; to scant; to scrimp. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]