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.-to take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.-to pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to glide swiftly along the surface of.-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.-to pass lightly; to glide along in an even, smooth course; to glide along near the surface.-to hasten along with superficial attention.-to put on the finishing coat of plaster.-contraction of skimming and skimmed.