skimmer
skimmer Lexical Profile
skimmer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A flat, sieve-like scoop or utensil used for removing floating fat, froth, or solid matter from the surface of a liquid.
"The chef used a slotted skimmer to carefully lift the dumplings out of the boiling water."
An illegal, concealed device attached to an ATM or payment terminal designed to capture and steal credit card data from the magnetic stripe.
"Police warned residents to check gas station pumps for hidden skimmers before swiping their debit cards."
A tern-like seabird of the family Rynchopidae, characterized by an elongated lower mandible used for scooping fish from the water's surface while flying.
"As the sun set over the estuary, a black skimmer glided gracefully inches above the water, dragging its lower bill to catch small fish."
• Rhymes for skimmer
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the verb 'skim' combined with the agent suffix '-er'. Its modern usage has expanded from a culinary or industrial tool to include electronic credit card theft devices and a specific family of seabirds.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.