scum

n. [ 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, v., Sky. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some to remove the scum as it did rise. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. refuse; recrement; anything vile or worthless. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great and innocent are insulted by the scum and refuse of the people. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

You that scum the molten lead. Dryden & Lee. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To sweep or range over the surface of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Dung. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Discumber. ] To void excrement. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Scumbled p. pr. & vb. n. Scumbling ] [ Freq. of scum. √ 158. ] (Fine Arts) To cover lighty, as a painting, or a drawing, with a thin wash of opaque color, or with color-crayon dust rubbed on with the stump, or to make any similar additions to the work, so as to produce a softened effect. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Fine Arts) (a) A mode of obtaining a softened effect, in painting and drawing, by the application of a thin layer of opaque color to the surface of a painting, or part of the surface, which is too bright in color, or which requires harmonizing. (b) In crayon drawing, the use of the stump. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The color so laid on. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shining above the brown scumbling of leafless orchards. L. Wallace. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. escumoire, F. écumoire. See Scum, and cf. Skimmer. ] An instrument for taking off scum; a skimmer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Excrement; scumber. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]