<p><strong>verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object), skimmed, skim·ming.<ul><li>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.</li><li>to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk.</li><li>to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water): The sailboat skimmed the lake.</li><li>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.</li><li>to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.</li><li>Synonyms: scan.</li><li>to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer: Ice skimmed the lake at night.</li><li>to take the best or most available parts or items from: Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.</li><li>to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something: The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.</li><li>Metallurgy: to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.</li><li>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 followed by off): The casino skimmed two million a year.</li><li>to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use: A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>an act or instance of skimming.</li><li>something that is skimmed off.</li><li>a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, especially a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.</li><li>a thin layer, as of mortar.</li><li>Slang: the amount taken or concealed by skimming.</li><li>skim milk.</li><li>Obsolete: scum.</li></ul>