skimmer Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a rapid superficial reader
noun a cooking utensil used to skim fat from the surface of liquids
noun a stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown
Panama hat; Panama; sailor; boater; leghorn; straw hat.
noun gull-like seabird that flies along the surface of the water with an elongated lower mandible immersed to skim out food

One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed.
(Zoöl.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus Rhynchops, allied to the terns, but having the lower mandible compressed and much longer than the upper one. These birds fly rapidly along the surface of the water, with the lower mandible immersed, thus skimming out small fishes. The American species (R. nigra) is common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called also scissorbill, and shearbill.
(Zoöl.) Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, as the sea clams, and large scallops.