skimmer

noun

• 1a person or thing that skims, in particular.
• a utensil or device for removing a substance from the surface of a liquid.
• a device or craft designed to collect oil spilled on water.
• a hydroplane, hydrofoil, hovercraft, or other vessel that has little or no displacement when traveling.

• 2a long-winged seabird related to the terns, feeding by flying low over the water surface with its knifelike extended lower mandible immersed.

  • Genus Rynchops, family Rynchopidae (or Laridae): three species, one each in Africa, Asia, and America

• 3chiefly North American a flat, broad-brimmed straw hat.
• informal a close-fitting dress.

• 4North American a broad-bodied dragonfly commonly found at ponds and swamps. It can rest for long periods on a perch, from which it darts out to grab prey.

  • Libellulidae and related families: several genera and numerous species, including the twelve-spotted skimmer(Libellula pulchella)