The word "skimmed over" is spelled with two consonant sounds, "sk" and "m", pronounced with a short vowel sound "ɪ" in "skimmed" and a long vowel sound "oʊ" in "over". The stressed syllable is "skimmed" and the unstressed syllable is "over". The double "m" indicates the past tense form of the verb "skim", which means to remove impurities from a liquid surface. The word "over" is a preposition indicating movement from one side or place to another. "Skimmed over" can mean quickly reviewing something without delving into the details.
Skimmed over is a phrasal verb that is used to describe the act of quickly scanning or glancing over something without paying much attention to the details. It typically refers to reading, reviewing, or examining a document, text, or piece of information superficially or cursorily.
When someone skims over something, they are not thoroughly reading or analyzing it. Instead, they are usually searching for specific keywords, key points, or general ideas. The purpose of skimming over a text is to get a general sense of its content, structure, or relevance without delving into the specifics.
Skimming over can refer to various types of materials, such as books, articles, reports, or even online content. It may also be used in contexts beyond reading, such as quickly browsing through a website or flipping through the pages of a magazine.
The term "skimmed over" implies a lack of in-depth understanding or engagement with the subject matter. It suggests a more superficial approach to processing information, where one is interested in getting a broad overview or identifying the most important elements rather than comprehending every detail. Skimming over is often employed as a time-saving technique when dealing with a large volume of information or when seeking a general understanding before deciding whether to invest more time and effort into further exploration.
The term "skimmed over" is a phrasal verb that combines the verb "skim" and the preposition "over".
The verb "skim" dates back to the late 16th century and it originally meant to pass or glide quickly and lightly over a surface. It has its origins in a Middle Dutch word "schimpen", meaning "to glide" or "to pass lightly". This Middle Dutch term is related to an Old Norse word "skrjupa" meaning "to glide".
The preposition "over" has its roots in Old English where it was similar in form and meaning. It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "uberi" and is related to the German word "uber" and the Dutch word "over".