from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Skimmer \Skim"mer\, n.
1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which
liquids are skimmed.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) 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 ({Rhynchops nigra}) is
common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called
also {scissorbill}, and {shearbill}.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes
used for skimming milk, as the sea clams, and large
scallops.
[1913 Webster]