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scum

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Financial, Acronyms, Idioms, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
scum
1. the greenish film of algae and similar vegetation surface of a stagnant pond
2. the skin of oxides or impurities on the surface of a molten metal

scum [skəm]
(materials)
A film of impurities that rises to or is formed on the surface of a liquid.
A slimy film formed on the surface of a solid object.

scum, scumming
1. A surface deposit sometimes formed on clay bricks; caused either by soluble salts in the clay which migrate to the surface as moisture escapes during drying (drier scum) or by the formation of deposits during kiln firing (kiln scum).
2. A mass of organic matter which floats on the surface of sewage.


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"I'll do it," said Dolly, and getting up, she carefully passed the spoon over the frothing sugar, and from time to time shook off the clinging jam from the spoon by knocking it on a plate that was covered with yellow-red scum and blood-colored syrup.
It is a shameful and unblessed thing, to take the scum of people, and wicked condemned men, to be the people with whom you plant; and not only so, but it spoileth the plantation; for they will ever live like rogues, and not fall to work, but be lazy, and do mischief, and spend victuals, and be quickly weary, and then certify over to their country, to the discredit of the plantation.
Here floweth all blood putridly and tepidly and frothily through all veins: spit on the great city, which is the great slum where all the scum frotheth together!
 
 
 
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