CultureAugust 1, 2026

scrim

SKRIM

Definition

A semi-transparent fabric or screen used to obscure or soften the view of what is behind it, often used metaphorically to describe a barrier or filter through which something else is perceived.

Etymology

The word is of uncertain origin, likely appearing in the early 19th century as a variation of 'scram' or possibly related to the older textile term 'skryme'.

In the news

The artist describes his art as a 'scrim' that he holds between himself and the public, acting as a veil that allows him to express himself while maintaining a protective distance from others.

Ross Bleckner: The Architecture of Light & Loss

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The Purist

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