skimmer

plural skimmers

1. A device that skims.
   1. A sieve-like, slotted spoon.
   2. A device for removing organic matter from an aquarium.
   3. crimeA device used to read and record the magnetic code from a credit card for later fraudulent use.
2. A person who skims.

   Perhaps the greatest stone skimmer is Scotland's own Dougie Isaacs, who has won eight world titles.

   2023, Richard Deitsch, The Year's Best Sports Writing 2023

3. Any of three species of bird, in the genus Rynchops of the family Laridae, that feed by skimming the surface of water bodies with their bills in flight.
4. Any of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, such as the sea clam (Spisula solidissima) and large scallops.
5. A ballet flat shoe.
6. A loose-fitting one-piece dress, similar to a shift but with slightly more fitting.

   Classic, box-pleated skimmers and pantdresses stay crisp and fresh, won't wrinkle or wilt!

   1969, The New York Times Magazine (part 3)

   2 more examples

   The utilization of divided dart control—some stitched and some unstitched—is the basis of semifitted styles such as the shift or skimmer dress.

   2006, Adele P. Margolis, Judy Skoogfors, Make Your Own Dress Patterns, page 73

   Slightly A-line, princess-cut “skimmers” were popular as dresses in summer and jumpers in winter.

   2009, Phyllis G. Tortora, Keith Eubank, Survey of Historic Costume, page 572

7. biologyAny of the dragonflies in the family Libellulidae.
8. governmentA sailor in the surface forces, as opposed to a submariner.
9. governmentA surface ship.
10. literatureA small, fast-moving spacecraft.

    They said no one landed on other planets. They said there was no such thing as a skimmer. Rocky hadn't believed them. They didn't know everything. He wished they could see the skimmer.

    2000, Carlie Simonsen, Rocky to the Rescue, page 2

    1 more example

    Kondric stood beside the skimmer for a moment, looking back at his warriors. They shouted and banged their swords on their shields. He raised his hand in farewell, and followed Violet into the cabin.

    2015, Aurora Springer, Grand Master's Pawn

11. Synonym of water strider.

    Synonyms: water strider

present singular third person skimmers · participle present skimmering · participle past skimmered · past skimmered

1. To shimmer.
2. To move quickly, to flutter.

   …he was bounding over the heads of the maidens, and making his feet skimmer against the ceiling, enjoying, the while, the most ecstatic emotions.

   1824, James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, Oxford, published 2010, page 9