— scannable , adj.
/skan/ , v. , scanned, scanning , n.
v.t.
1. to glance at or over or read hastily: to scan a page.
2. to examine the particulars or points of minutely; scrutinize.
3. to peer out at or observe repeatedly or sweepingly, as a large expanse; survey.
4. to analyze (verse) as to its prosodic or metrical structure; read or recite (verse) so as to indicate or test the metrical form.
5. to read (data) for use by a computer or computerized device, esp. using an optical scanner.
6. Television. to traverse (a surface) with a beam of light or electrons in order to reproduce or transmit a picture.
7. Radar. to traverse (a region) with a beam from a radar transmitter.
8. Med. , Biol. to examine (a body, organ, tissue, or other biologically active material) with a scanner.
v.i.
9. to examine the meter of verse.
10. (of verse) to conform to the rules of meter.
11. Television. to scan a surface or the like.
n.
12. an act or instance of scanning; close examination.
13. a visual examination by means of a television camera, as for the purpose of making visible or relaying pictures from a remote place: a satellite scan of the dark side of the moon; video scans of property listings available to customers.
14. a particular image or frame in such video observation or a photograph made from it.
15. Med. , Biol.
a. examination of the body or an organ or part, or a biologically active material, by means of a technique such as computed axial tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasonography, or scintigraphy.
b. the image or display so obtained.
[ 1350-1400; ME scannen, var. of * scanden scandere to scan verse, L: to climb (see ASCEND) ]
Syn. 1. study, investigate, inspect, search. 2. skim.