scum

== English == === Alternative forms === skum (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English scum, scome, skum, skome, scumme, from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch schūme (“foam”), from Old Dutch *scūm, from Frankish *skūm, from Proto-Germanic *skūmaz (“froth, foam”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH- (“to cover, conceal”). Cognate with Dutch schuim (“foam”), West Frisian skuum, German Schaum (“foam”), Danish and Swedish skum (“foam”). Compare also French écume (“scum”), Italian schiuma (“foam”), Saterland Frisian Skuum, Sicilian scuma (“foam”), Walloon schome (“scum, foam”), Lithuanian šamas (“catfish”) and skanus (“tasty”) from the same Germanic source. Related to skim. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /skʌm/ Rhymes: -ʌm === Noun === scum (countable and uncountable, plural scums or scum) (uncountable) A layer of impurities that accumulates at the surface of a liquid (especially molten metal or water). Synonyms: dross, impurity, impurities, cinder, scoriae, slag (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. [from 1960s] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:semen (derogatory, slang) A reprehensible person or persons. Synonyms: bastard; see also Thesaurus:jerk ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === scum (third-person singular simple present scums, present participle scumming, simple past and past participle scummed) To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.). To remove (something) as scum. To become covered with scum. (obsolete) To scour (the land, sea, etc.). (obsolete) To gather together, as scum. (video games, informal) To startscum or savescum. ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === CMUs, MCUs, USMC, cums