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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

scum en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

From Middle English scum, scome, skum, skome, scumme, from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch schūme (“foam”), from Old Dutch *scūm, from Frankish *skūm, from Proto-Germanic *skūmaz (“froth, foam”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH- (“to cover, conceal”). Cognate with Dutch schuim (“foam”), West Frisian skuum, German Schaum (“foam”), Danish and Swedish skum (“foam”). Compare also French écume (“scum”), Italian schiuma (“foam”), Saterland Frisian Skuum, Sicilian scuma (“foam”), Walloon schome (“scum, foam”), Lithuanian šamas (“catfish”) and skanus (“tasty”) from the same Germanic source. Related to skim.

Meanings

  1. (uncountable) 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.
  2. (uncountable) A greenish water vegetation (such as algae), usually found floating on the surface of ponds
    • These organisms form scum in large quantities.
  3. (countable, uncountable) The topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank.
  4. (US, slang, uncountable) Semen.
    • Horse, who was always talking about facts, said, “Man, that can't be scum, ’cause scum is white.” 1965, Claude Brown, Manchild in the Promised Land, New York: New American Library, →OCLC, page 80:
  5. (countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable) A reprehensible person or persons.
    • People who sell used-up pens are scum, just total low-lives.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
scums Number=Plur lexicographic
skum alternative, obsolete lexicographic
scum Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

scumbutt · scrunge · scumsucking · scummer · soap scum · descum · offscum · scumboard · scummy · scumbitch · scumless · scumhead · scumsucker · traumascum · Newscum · scumbreath · scumhole · cyberscum · scumface · pond scum · scum valve · scumlord · scumware · scumshit · scumfuck · scum-ridden · scumbag · scumlike · scumball · scum of the earth · truscum · scumwad

Synonyms

dickweasel · dickster · buttmuncher · wankface · fucknose · shitneck · cream · buttmunch · pussybreath · cumload · pukeball · asswagon · shitstain · cockwaffle · girl juice · sourhead · jackass · shitheap · scoundrel · pisspot · man milk · shithead · shitnugget · lowlife · chunk-blower · cockfuck · shitnuts · piece of crap · tosspot · pile of shit · cockface · spunk · mad milk · shitcunt · asscunt · jagoff · jerkoff · wankpuffin · dickbreath · douchecanoe · cockhead · cuntshit · asshead · baby batter · douchebag · bitchwhore · cockshit · cuntmuffin · scum · sleazebucket · sleazeball · dicksneeze · scuzzball · fuckass · cuntfucker · cuntwaffle · thundercunt · shitlicker · shitrag · cum · cumshot · jerko · fuckmuffin · craphead · schmuck · fuckrod · fuckbucket · cock-knocker · shitass · doucheburger · dickwipe · asschunk · snotball · jism · jizz · fucklord · meanie · wankfart · fucknozzle · shitwad · douchelord · dipshit · barf bag · dickfucker · cockbreath · piece of work · prick · shitbucket · dickhead · dicknose · assmonkey · dillweed · vonce · fuckstick · jerkwad · scumfuck · cock snot · turdface · weasel · asstard · dickstain · douche · penishead · paddock · cunt muncher · snotrag · shitmuncher · cuntwad · assfaggot · jitbag · wet wipe · shitcock · prickhead · scumbag · scumbreath · impurity · knuckle children · splooge · scumhole · shitheel · cockmuncher · pisshead · turdhead · shitwaffle · shitlord · wankhead · fuckjuice · man juice · git · cumrag · assmouth · snothead · come · cuntweed · assfuck · assbucket · shitguzzler · cockmunch · snotface · dicknut · spooge · scuzz · gruel · dicksucker · fuckball · asshat · cunt · jerkweed · dick milk · shitsack · sleazehole · slimewad · nutsack · choad · nark · fuckmitten · cuntstain · dickslap · cockwipe · cuntfuck · fag · tosser · assweed · fuckoid · dick juice · bitchcunt · shitweed · piece of garbage · dickshit · scuzzbucket · fucktrumpet · cocksack · cuntass · shitball · fuckchop · douchewagon · bitchface · shitpiss · squib · knob polisher · wankstain · spoof · cock gobbler · sleazewad · scumlord · dicklicker · scumhead · slag · seed · fuckster · fuckhead · dickbucket · cockfag · douche boat · jizzbag · berk · baby gravy · sleaze · cum guzzler · shitface · assface · undesirable · sperm · cockfucker · slimeface · shitpot · blackguard · snotbag · buttface · dicksack · skeet · assbag · cockbag · shitgoblin · pusbag · faggotface · dick munch · cocksuck · assfag · dickwad · impurities · prickface · load · fucktard · shitbiscuit · shitfucker · cuntbucket · cuntface · cuntrag · shitweasel · pushead · jagweed · sprog · swine · fuckwaffle · jerkball · fuckshit · pissface · balljuice · cuntbiscuit · sack of shit · fuckwit · jerk · scumface · shitbeast · dickfuck · cuntwipe · piece of shit · bastard · love juice · pile of crap · shitbag · butthead · turdbreath · love custard · snotwad · dick snot · piece of trash · boy juice · cunthead · shitdick · scunge · ejaculate · fuckbag · fuck · dirtwad · dirthead · muck · assfucker · dickass · jackoff · cuntbreath · white pee · hosebag · fuckface · asshole · dick · cuntlapper · dipfuck · scoriae · spurt · fuckweasel · cuntsucker · ball sack · cuntweasel · cuntwhacker · dickbiscuit · shitbird · bag of dicks · shitbreath · cuntard · cuntbag · slimehole · douche nozzle · knob-gobbler · dickface · shiteater · pukestain · douchewad · creme · dickbag · scuzzoid · cockweasel · fucker · milk · scumbutt · assmuncher · shithook · shitfuck · snot · dirtbag · cuntbitch · asswipe · cullion · prickwad · cuntlicker · jissom · cocksucker · dickweed · shitgibbon · wad · cinder · slimebucket · cock juice · faggot · assbreath · fuckweed · crapface · dicktard · tool · fuckskull · chunderhead · cumbucket · sleazebag · pissbag · cumstain · cockmonger · slime · dross · fuckstain · pig · cockatrice · ballsucker · seminal fluid · assmunch · bitchfuck · bastard · cockwad · scum · dick muncher · cumwad · piece of junk · wanker · scumbug

Translations (113)

la caenum (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · sv kräk (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ru нечисто́ты (layer of impurities) · ru подле́ц (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl borra (layer of impurities) · pt escória (layer of impurities) · gl escumallo (layer of impurities) · he חֶלְאָה (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ca escòria (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · izh paska (layer of impurities) · it mucillagine (greenish water vegetation) · bg ти́ня (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ga gramaisc (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ia scuma (layer of impurities) · yo èérú (layer of impurities) · pl podlec (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · pl wyrodek (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · el απόβρασμα (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · de Algenteppich (greenish water vegetation) · la faex (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr écume (layer of impurities) · fr racaille (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · sq makë (layer of impurities) · sv as (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ca púrria (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl escoura (layer of impurities) · nn sly (greenish water vegetation) · bg ута́йка (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr couche (layer of impurities) · eo feĉo (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl gandaiada (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr salaud (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · pt escória (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fi roskaväki (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · jam waste man (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr ordure (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · es escoria (layer of impurities) · ru негодя́й (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · grc λάμπη (layer of impurities) · cs neřád (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · te తెట్టు (layer of impurities) · pl szumowiny (layer of impurities) · nv tátłʼid (greenish water vegetation) · es verdín (topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank) · sv jävel (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · pl szumowina (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · mk подлец (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · mk џган (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · es telilla (topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank) · fi pintaliete (topmost liquid layer of a cesspool or septic tank) · el κάθαρμα (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · cs nános špíny (layer of impurities) · ru на́кипь (layer of impurities) · ca escòria (layer of impurities) · ru ти́на (greenish water vegetation) · ru сво́лочь (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · bg шла́ка (layer of impurities) · pdt Schlekj (layer of impurities) · fr drigaille (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ary كشكوشة (layer of impurities) · da afskum (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · sv avskum (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · de Rand (layer of impurities) · cs spodina (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · de Entengrütze (greenish water vegetation) · bg стопи́лка (layer of impurities) · ru отре́бье (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · eo ŝaŭmo (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fi leväpuuro (greenish water vegetation) · fi kuona (layer of impurities) · jam waste gyal (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · es gentuza (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · nl tuig (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · eo feĉulo (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · es escoria (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · el απόβλητο (layer of impurities) · de Geschmeiß (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ca verdet (greenish water vegetation) · ru отро́дье (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · sq shtrap (layer of impurities) · hu geci (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · bg отре́пка (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ru шантропа́ (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ru шу́шера (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl xentalla (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · cs lůza (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl cafualla (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr mousse (layer of impurities) · de Schwimmschlamm (layer of impurities) · de Abschaum (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · nn grønske (greenish water vegetation) · it impurità (layer of impurities) · cy gwehilion (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · mi parawai (layer of impurities) · eo feĉo (layer of impurities) · gl verdelixo (greenish water vegetation) · la sentīna (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl verdullo (greenish water vegetation) · ru пе́на (layer of impurities) · ru шваль (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · wa schome (layer of impurities) · fi pohjasakka (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · ru не́чисть (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl lomeaco (greenish water vegetation) · ru сброд (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · eo aĉulo (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · gl gafullada (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fr crasse (layer of impurities) · el απόβρασμα (layer of impurities) · es canalla (person or persons considered to be reprehensible) · fo skúm (layer of impurities) · de Abschaum (layer of impurities) · bg жaбу́няк (greenish water vegetation)

scum en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

From Middle English scum, scome, skum, skome, scumme, from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch schūme (“foam”), from Old Dutch *scūm, from Frankish *skūm, from Proto-Germanic *skūmaz (“froth, foam”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH- (“to cover, conceal”). Cognate with Dutch schuim (“foam”), West Frisian skuum, German Schaum (“foam”), Danish and Swedish skum (“foam”). Compare also French écume (“scum”), Italian schiuma (“foam”), Saterland Frisian Skuum, Sicilian scuma (“foam”), Walloon schome (“scum, foam”), Lithuanian šamas (“catfish”) and skanus (“tasty”) from the same Germanic source. Related to skim.

Meanings

  1. To remove the layer of scum from (a liquid etc.).
  2. To remove (something) as scum.
    • Some scumd the drosse, that from the metall came; / Some stird the molten owre with ladles great[…]. 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
  3. To become covered with scum.
    • Take the smallest Cucumbers you can get, and as free from Spots as possible, put them into a strong Salt and Water for nine or ten Days, or 'till they are quite Yellow, and stir them twice a Day at least, or they will scum over, and grow soft 1769, Elizabeth Raffald, The Experienced English House-keeper, pages 321–322:
  4. (obsolete) To scour (the land, sea, etc.).
    • Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates. 1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC:
    • SOo by Merlyns aduys ther were sente fore rydars to skumme the Countreye / & they mette with the fore rydars of the north / and made hem to telle whiche wey the hooste cam / and thenne they told it to Arthur / and by kyng Ban and Bors counceill they lete brenne and destroye alle the contrey afore them there they shold ryde 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xiij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book I:
  5. (obsolete) 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, Rudolf Ackerman, Frederic Shoberl, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics:
  6. (informal) To startscum or savescum.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
scums Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
scummed Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
scummed Tense=Past lexicographic
scumming Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
skum alternative, obsolete lexicographic

Translations (1)

da afskumme (remove layer of scum)