Definition of skim

• v. t. - To clear (a liquid) from scum or substance floating or lying thereon, by means of a utensil that passes just beneath the surface; as, to skim milk; to skim broth.
• v. t. - To take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.
• v. t. - To pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to glide swiftly along the surface of.
• v. t. - Fig.: To read or examine superficially and rapidly, in order to cull the principal facts or thoughts; as, to skim a book or a newspaper.
• v. i. - To pass lightly; to glide along in an even, smooth course; to glide along near the surface.
• v. i. - To hasten along with superficial attention.
• v. i. - To put on the finishing coat of plaster.
• a. - Contraction of Skimming and Skimmed.