scan Definition

scan
verb scanned, scanning

1. To read through or examine something carefully or critically.

Thesaurus: investigate, study, examine, peruse, scrutinize, search, survey, consider.
2. To look or glance over something quickly.

Thesaurus: browse, glance at, skim.
3. To examine (all parts or components of something) in a systematic order.
4. To examine (the rhythm of a piece of verse); to analyse (verse) metrically.
5. To recite (verse) so as to bring out or emphasize the metrical structure.
intr
6. Said of verse: to conform to the rules of metre or rhythm.
7. medicine.
To examine (parts, especially internal organs, of the body) using techniques such as ultrasound.
8. In television: to pass a beam over (an area) so as to transmit its image.
9. To cast an eye negligently over something.
10. engineering.
To search or examine (an area) by means of radar or by sweeping a beam of light over it.
11. computing.
To examine (data) eg on a magnetic disk.

noun

1. An act of scanning.

Example: brain scan
2. A scanning.
3. medicine.
An image obtained by scanning.

Etymology: 14c: from Latin scandere to climb.