• IPA: /skʌm/

scum

1. (uncountable) A layer of impurities that accumulates at the surface of a liquid (especially molten metal or water).

   During smelting, scum rises to the surface and is then removed by the smelter.

2. (uncountable) A greenish water vegetation (such as algae), usually found floating on the surface of ponds

   These organisms form scum in large quantities.

3. The topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank.
4. (uncountable, slang, chiefly US) semen
5. (countable, derogatory, slang) A reprehensible person or persons.

   People who sell used-up pens are scum, just total low-lives.

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

• French: écume, couche, mousse, crasse
• German: (foamy) Abschaum; (otherwise) Schwimmschlamm; (informally, in a vessel) Rand
• Italian: impurità
• Portuguese: escória
• Russian: (гря́зная) пе́на
• Spanish: escoria

• German: Algenteppich; (informal) Entengrütze
• Italian: mucillagine
• Russian: ти́на

• French: ordure, salaud, racaille
• German: Abschaum
• Portuguese: escória
• Russian: подле́ц
• Spanish: canalla, escoria

scum (scums, present participle scumming; past and past participle scummed)

1. To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.).
2. 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 […].

3. 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

4. (obsolete) To scour (the land, sea etc.).
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/cme/MaloryWks2/1:3.11?rgn=div2;view=fulltext chapter xiij], in Le Morte Darthur, book I:

     SOo by Merlyns aduys ther were sente fore rydars to skumme the Countreye / & they mette with the fore rydars of the north / and made hem to telle whiche wey the hooste cam / and thenne they told it to Arthur / and by kyng Ban and Bors counceill they lete brenne and destroye alle the contrey afore them there they shold ryde

   • 1670, John Milton, The History of Britain, […] , London: Printed by J.M. for James Alleſtry, […] , OCLC 78038412 ↗:

     Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates.

5. (obsolete) To gather together, as scum.
   • 1815, Rudolf Ackerman and Frederic Shoberl, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics:

     A great majority of the members are scummed together from the Jacobinical dregs of former periods of the revolution.

6. (video games, informal) To startscum or savescum.