ˈskanchən, -aan- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin scansion-, scansio, from Latin, act of climbing, from (assumed) Latin scansus (past participle of Latin scandere to climb) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion — more at scan
1.
a. : the analysis of a rhythmic structure (as a verse) so as to show the elements or units of which its rhythm is composed and especially to identify some unifying recurrent element or unit
b. : the division of a rhythmic series into such units ; especially : the division of a metrical series into its component feet
2. : the product or result of scansion : a particular description or representation of a given rhythmic or especially metrical structure
two possible scansions of this verse are printed