I. ˈskəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English scum, scume, from Middle Dutch schum, schume; akin to Old High German scūm foam, froth and probably to Old Norse skūmi twilight, skuggi shadow — more at sky
1. obsolete : foam , froth
2.
a.
(1) : extraneous matter or impurities risen to or formed on the surface of a liquid
(2) : a foul filmy covering floating on a liquid (as a stagnant pool)
b. : the scoria of metals in a molten state : dross
c. : a slimy film formed on the surface of a solid or gelatinous object
d. : the impurities precipitated in the process of sugar refining
3.
a. : vile, worthless, or rotten objects : refuse
b.
(1) : the lowest and most undesirable class of a population
the social scum , the passively rotting mass of people who lie at the bottom of the social scale — M.D.Geismar
(2) : a rabble made up of low or evil people
(3) : a low, evil, or worthless person
he's not a scum
II. verb
( scummed ; scummed ; scumming ; scums )
Etymology: Middle English scumen, from scum, scume scum
transitive verb
1. archaic : to take the scum from : skim
2. obsolete : to range over : scour
3. : to cover with or as if with scum
intransitive verb
: to become covered with or as if with scum