Scum

Pronunciation

IPA: /skÊŒm/
Rhymes: -ÊŒm

Alternative forms

skum

Origin

From Middle English scum, scom, from Old English *scÅ«m ("foam") or Middle Dutch schÅ«me ("foam"), both from Proto-Germanic *skÅ«maz ("froth, foam"), from Proto-Indo-European *skeu- ("to cover, conceal"). Cognate with Dutch schuim ("foam"), German Schaum ("foam"), Danish and Swedish skum ("foam"). Compare also French Ã©cume ("scum"), Italian schiuma ("foam") Walloon schome ("scum, foam") from the same Germanic source. Related to skim.

Full definition of scum

Noun

scum

(countable and uncountable; plural scums)

(uncountable) A layer of impurities that accumulates at the surface of a liquid (especially molten metal or water).
(uncountable) A greenish water vegetation (such as algae), usually found floating on the surface of ponds
The topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank.
(uncountable, slang, chiefly US) semen
(countable, derogatory, slang) A reprehensible person or persons.
(countable, derogatory, slang) police officer(s)

Synonyms

(layer of impurities) dross, impurities
(layer of impurities on molten metal) cinder, scoriae, slag
(person considered reprehensible) bastard

Related terms

Verb

To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.).
To remove (something) as scum.

1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.vii:Some scumd the drosse, that from the metall came;
Some stird the molten owre with ladles great ....

To become covered with scum.

1769, Elizabeth Raffald, The Experienced English House-keeper, pp. 321-322:Take the smallest Cucumbers you can get, and as free from Spots as possible, put them into a strong Salt and Water for nine or ten Days, or 'till they are quite Yellow, and stir them twice a Day at least, or they will scum over, and grow soft

(obsolete) To scour (the land, sea etc.).

1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book I.13:Soo by Merlyns aduys ther were sente fore rydars to skumme the Countreye, & they mette with the fore rydars of the north ...
MiltonWandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates.

(obsolete) To gather together, as scum.

1815, Rudolf Ackerman and Frederic Shoberl, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and PoliticsA great majority of the members are scummed together from the Jacobinical dregs of former periods of the revolution.