scum /skʌm/noun 5verb 6forms 3phrases 1 noun5 •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. •(slang, offensive) a person or people that others see as very bad and worth nothingPeople who sell used-up pens are scum, just total low-lives. •A greenish water vegetation (such as algae), usually found floating on the surface of pondsThese organisms form scum in large quantities. •The topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank. •(slang, vulgar) Semen.Horse, who was always talking about facts, said, “Man, that can't be scum, ’cause scum is white.” — 1965 verb6 •To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.). •To remove (something) as scum.Some scumd the drosse, that from the metall came; / Some stird the molten owre with ladles great[…]. — 1590 •(informal) To startscum or savescum. •To become covered with scum. •(no longer used) To scour (the land, sea, etc.).Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates. — 1670 •(no longer used) To gather together, as scum.A great majority of the members are scummed together from the Jacobinical dregs of former periods of the revolution. — 1815 formsscummed · scumming · scums Phrases with scum scum of the earthAn undesirable individual; the worst type of person or people.
