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Webster 1913 Edition


Scum

Scum

(skŭm)
,
Noun.
[Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw.
skum
, Icel.
skūm
, LG.
schum
, D.
schuim
, OHG.
scūm
, G.
schaum
; probably from a root meaning, to cover. √158. Cf.
Hide
skin,
Meerschaum
,
Skim
,
Verb.
,
Sky
.]
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.
Some to remove the
scum
as it did rise.
Spenser.
2.
refuse; recrement; anything vile or worthless.
The great and innocent are insulted by the
scum
and refuse of the people.
Addison.

Scum

,
Verb.
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.
You that
scum
the molten lead.
Dryden & Lee.
2.
To sweep or range over the surface of.
[Obs.]
Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by
scumming
those seas and shores as pirates.
Milton.

Scum

,
Verb.
I.
To form a scum; to become covered with scum. Also used figuratively.
Life, and the interest of life, have stagnated and
scummed
over.
A. K. H. Boyd.

Webster 1828 Edition


Scum

SCUM

,
Noun.
1. The extraneous matter or impurities which rise to the surface of liquors in boiling or fermentation, or which form on the surface by other means. The word is also applied to the scoria of metals.
2. The refuse; the recrement; that which is vile or worthless.
The great and the innocent are insulted by the scum and refuse of the people.

Definition 2024


scum

scum

English

Alternative forms

Noun

scum (countable and uncountable, plural scums)

  1. (uncountable) A layer of impurities that accumulates at the surface of a liquid (especially molten metal or water).
  2. (uncountable) A greenish water vegetation (such as algae), usually found floating on the surface of ponds
  3. The topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank.
  4. (uncountable, slang, chiefly US) semen
  5. (countable, derogatory, slang) A reprehensible person or persons.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

Verb

scum (third-person singular simple present scums, present participle scumming, simple past and past participle scummed)

  1. To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.).
  2. To remove (something) as scum.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.vii:
      Some scumd the drosse, that from the metall came; / Some stird the molten owre with ladles great [].
  3. To become covered with scum.
    • 1769, Elizabeth Raffald, The Experienced English House-keeper, pp.321-322:
      Take the smallest Cucumbers you can get, and as free from Spots as possible, put them into a strong Salt and Water for nine or ten Days, or 'till they are quite Yellow, and stir them twice a Day at least, or they will scum over, and grow soft
  4. (obsolete) To scour (the land, sea etc.).
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter xiij, in Le Morte Darthur, book I:
      SOo by Merlyns aduys ther were sente fore rydars to skumme the Countreye / & they mette with the fore rydars of the north / and made hem to telle whiche wey the hooste cam / and thenne they told it to Arthur / and by kyng Ban and Bors counceill they lete brenne and destroye alle the contrey afore them there they shold ryde
    • Milton
      Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates.
  5. (obsolete) To gather together, as scum.
    • 1815, Rudolf Ackerman and Frederic Shoberl, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics:
      A great majority of the members are scummed together from the Jacobinical dregs of former periods of the revolution.
  6. (video games, informal) To startscum or savescum.

Anagrams