skæn v. & n. --v. (scanned, scanning) 1 tr.
look at intently or quickly (scanned
the horizon; rapidly scanned the
speech for errors). 2 intr. (of a
verse etc.) be metrically
correct; be
capable of
being recited etc. metrically (this line doesn't scan). 3 tr. a
examine all parts of (a
surface etc.) to
detect radioactivity etc. b
cause (a
particular region) to be traversed by a
radar etc.
beam. 4 tr.
resolve (a picture)
into its elements of
light and shade in a prearranged
pattern for the purposes
esp. of
television transmission. 5 tr. test the metre of (a line of verse etc.) by
reading with the
emphasis on its
rhythm, or by examining the
number of
feet etc. 6 tr. a
make a scan of (the
body or
part of it). b examine (a
patient etc.) with a
scanner. --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of scanning. 2 an
image obtained by scanning or with a scanner. øøscannable adj. [ME f. L scandere
climb: in LL = scan verses (from the raising of one's
foot in
marking rhythm)]
