SCUMS

Noun

scums

plural of scum

Source: Wiktionary

SCUM

Scum, n. Etym: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. skum, Icel. sk, LG. schum, D. schuim, OHG. sc, G. schaum; probably from a root meaning, to cover. sq. root158. 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.

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.

Scum, v. i.

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition