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   Scan

   /skan/

   

   verb

   • 1. look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature: "he raised his binoculars to scan the coast" Similar studyexaminescrutinizeinspectsurveysearchscoursweeprakelook atlook someone/something up and downstare atgaze ateyewatchcontemplateregardtake stock ofglassinformal:check outreccescopearchaic:con
   • ▪ look quickly but not very thoroughly through (a document or other text) in order to identify relevant information: "we scan the papers for news from the trouble spots" Similar glance through/overlook through/overhave a look atrun/pass/cast one's eye overskimflick throughflip throughriffle throughleaf throughthumb throughread quicklybrowse throughperuseOpposite pore over
   • 2. cause (a surface, object, or part of the body) to be traversed by a detector or an electromagnetic beam: "their brains are scanned so that researchers can monitor the progress of the disease"
   • ▪ cause (a beam) to traverse across a surface or object: "we scanned the beam over a sector of 120°"
   • ▪ convert (a document or picture) into digital form for storage or processing on a computer: "text and pictures can be scanned into the computer"
   • ▪ resolve (a picture) into its elements of light and shade in a prearranged pattern for the purposes of television transmission.
   • 3. analyze the meter of (a line of verse) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm or by examining the pattern of feet or syllables.
   • ▪ (of verse) conform to metrical principles: "well, it doesn't rhyme and certainly doesn't scan"

   noun

   • 1. an act of scanning someone or something: "a quick scan of the sports page" Similar inspectionscrutinyexaminationsurveysearchglancelookflickbrowseskim
   • ▪ a medical examination using a scanner: "a brain scan" Similar examinationscreeningultrasound (scan)
   • ▪ an image obtained by scanning or with a scanner: "we can't predict anything until we have seen the scan"

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a verb in scan (sense 3 of the verb)): from Latin scandere ‘climb’ (in late Latin ‘scan (verses)’), by analogy with the raising and lowering of one's foot when marking rhythm. From ‘analyze (meter)’ arose the senses ‘estimate the correctness of’ and ‘examine minutely’, which led to ‘look at searchingly’ (late 18th century).

   Derivatives

   • 1. scannable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

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2. People also ask

   What does scan mean?

   • The meaning of SCAN is to read or mark so as to show metrical structure. How to use scan in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Scan.

   Scan Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   What is scan verb?

   • Definition of scan verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary [transitive, intransitive] to look quickly but not very carefully at a document, etc. scan something for something I scanned the list quickly for my name. scan something We quickly scanned the menu.

   scan verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

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   What is scanning in physics?

   • 1. The path periodically followed by a radiation beam. 2. In electronic intelligence, the motion of an electronic beam through space looking for a target. Scanning is produced by the motion of the antenna or by lobe switching.

   Scan - definition of scan by The Free Dictionary

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › scanScan Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word scan as a verb and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. See also related phrases and entries for scan.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSCAN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of scan as a verb and a noun in English, with synonyms, related words and phrases, and examples from different contexts. Find out how to pronounce scan and how to use it in business, academic and literary situations.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › scanSCAN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   to examine or search (a prescribed region) by systematically varying the direction of a radar or sonar beam. physics to examine or produce or be examined or produced by a continuous charge of some variable. to scan a spectrum. med to obtain an image of (a part of the body) by means of a scanner.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionscan verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the verb scan in different contexts. Scan can mean to look quickly or carefully at something, to copy an image or document, to examine a program or document, or to have a regular rhythm in poetry.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › scanScan - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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   Definitions of scan. verb. examine minutely or intensely. “the surgeon scanned the X-ray” see more. verb. make a wide, sweeping search of. “The beams scanned the night sky” see more. verb. examine hastily. “She scanned the newspaper headlines while waiting for the taxi” synonyms: glance over, rake, run down, skim. see more. verb. read metrically.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › scanScan - definition of scan by The Free Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word scan in different contexts, such as computing, medicine, poetry, and electronics. Find synonyms, antonyms, examples, and related terms for scan.

9. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSCAN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   2 days ago · Learn the various meanings and uses of the word scan as a verb and a noun in English. Find synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and related terms for scan.