scan

verb (scans, scanning, scanned)

• 1look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature:he raised his binoculars to scan the coast
• 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 [no object]:I scanned through the reference materials

• 2cause (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.

• 3analyze the meter of (a line of verse) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm or by examining the pattern of feet or syllables.
• [no object] (of verse) conform to metrical principles.

noun

• an act of scanning someone or something:a quick scan of the sports page
• a medical examination using a scanner:a brain scan
• an image obtained by scanning or with a scanner:we can’t predict anything until we have seen the scan