scum
n
1 a layer of impure matter that forms on the surface of a liquid, often as the result of boiling or fermentation
2 the greenish film of algae and similar vegetation surface of a stagnant pond
3 (Also called)
dross, scruff the skin of oxides or impurities on the surface of a molten metal
5 a worthless person or group of people
vb , scums, scumming, scummed
7 intr Rare to form a layer of or become covered with scum (C13: of Germanic origin; related to Old High German scum, Middle Dutch schum, Old French escume; see skim) ♦
scumlike adj ♦
scummer n ♦
scummy adj
pond scum
n a greenish layer floating on the surface of stagnant waters, consisting of various freshwater algae
English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus
scum
1 algae, crust, dross, film, froth, impurities, offscourings, scruff
2 (figurative) canaille, dregs of society, dross, lowest of the low, rabble, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rubbish, trash (chiefly U.S. & Canad.)
English Collins Dictionary - English synonyms & Thesaurus
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