scan

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an image produced by scanning

   The doctor analyzed the brain scan.

2. 2
   verb

   read metrically

   scan verses

3. 3
   verb

   make a wide, sweeping search of

   The beams scanned the night sky

4. 4
   verb

   examine hastily

   I scanned the newspaper headlines while waiting for the taxi.

5. 5
   verb

   examine minutely or intensely

   the surgeon scanned the X-ray

6. 6
   verb

   To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely.

   She scanned the passage carefully but could not find what she was looking for.

7. 7
   verb

   To create an image of something with the use of a scanner.

   to scan a photograph

8. 8
   verb

   To read with an electronic device.

   to scan a barcode

Etymology

From late Middle English scanne (“to mark off verse to show metrical structure”), from earlier scanden, from Late Latin scandere (“to scan verse”), from Classical Latin scandō (“to climb, rise, mount”), from Proto-Indo-European *skend- (“to jump, dart, climb, scale, scan”).