1.
[syn: trash, scum]
2. a film of impurities or vegetation that can form on the surface of a liquid;
VERB (1)
1. remove the scum from;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scum \Scum\ (sk[u^]m), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw.
skum, Icel. sk[=u]m, LG. schum, D. schuim, OHG. sc[=u]m, G.
schaum; probably from a root meaning, to cover. [root]158.
Cf. Hide skin, Meerschaum, Skim, v., Sky.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The extraneous matter or impurities which rise to the
surface of liquids in boiling or fermentation, or which
form on the surface by other means; also, the scoria of
metals in a molten state; dross.
[1913 Webster]
Some to remove the scum as it did rise. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. refuse; recrement; anything vile or worthless.
[1913 Webster]
The great and innocent are insulted by the scum and
refuse of the people. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scum \Scum\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scummed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Scumming.]
1. To take the scum from; to clear off the impure matter from
the surface of; to skim.
[1913 Webster]
You that scum the molten lead. --Dryden &
Lee.
[1913 Webster]
2. To sweep or range over the surface of. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Wandering up and down without certain seat, they
lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scum \Scum\, v. i.
To form a scum; to become covered with scum. Also used
figuratively.
[1913 Webster]
Life, and the interest of life, have stagnated and
scummed over. --A. K. H.
Boyd.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
scum
n 1: worthless people [syn: trash, scum]
2: a film of impurities or vegetation that can form on the
surface of a liquid
v 1: remove the scum from