Hypertext Webster Gateway: "scum"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scum \Scum\, v. 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scum \Scum\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. skum, Icel.
sk?m, LG. schum, D. schuim, OHG. sc?m, G. schaum; probably
from a root meaning, to cover. [root]158. Cf. {Hide} skin,
{Meerschaum}, {Skim}, v., {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 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scum \Scum\, v. 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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
scum
n 1: worthless people [syn: {trash}]
2: a film of impurities or vegetation that can form on the
surface of a liquid
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