[skan], (Verb)

Definitions:
- look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature
(e.g: he raised his binoculars to scan the coast)

- cause (a surface, object, or part of the body) to be traversed by a detector or an electromagnetic beam
(e.g: their brains are scanned so that researchers can monitor the progress of the disease)

- analyse the metre of (a line of verse) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm or by examining the pattern of feet or syllables


Phrases:

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

[skan], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an act of scanning someone or something
(e.g: a quick scan of the sports page)

- a medical examination using a scanner
(e.g: a brain scan)


Phrases:

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