skimmer

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: skim=mer

CIDE DICTIONARY

skimmer, n. 

•  One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus Rhynchops, allied to the terns, but having the lower mandible compressed and much longer than the upper one. These birds fly rapidly along the surface of the water, with the lower mandible immersed, thus skimming out small fishes. The American species (R. nigra) is common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called also scissorbill, and shearbill.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, as the sea clams, and large scallops.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

skimmer, n.
1 a device for skimming liquids.
2 a person who skims.
3 a flat hat, esp. a broad-brimmed straw hat.
4 any long-winged marine bird of the genus Rynchops that feeds by skimming over water with its knifelike lower mandible immersed.
5 a hydroplane, hydrofoil, hovercraft, or other vessel that has little or no displacement at speed.
6 US a sheath-like dress.

Etymology

ME f. OF escumoir f. escumer f. escume SCUM