from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Skim \Skim\ (sk[i^]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Skimmed} (sk[i^]md);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Skimming}.] [Cf. Sw. skymma to darken.
[root]158. See {Scum}.]
1. 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.
[1913 Webster]
3. To pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to
glide swiftly along the surface of.
[1913 Webster]
Homer describes Mercury as flinging himself from the
top of Olympus, and skimming the surface of the
ocean. --Hazlitt.
[1913 Webster]
4. 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.
[1913 Webster]