WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Scan
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [L. scandere, scansum, to climb, to scan, akin to Skr. skand to spring, leap: cf. F. scander. Cf. Ascend, Descend, Scale a ladder.]
Definition : 1. To mount by steps; to go through with step by step. [Obs.] Nor stayed till she the highest stage had scand. Spenser.

2. Specifically (Pros.), to go through with, as a verse, marking and distinguishing the feet of which it is composed; to show, in reading, the metrical structure of; to recite metrically.

3. To go over and examine point by point; to examine with care; to look closely at or into; to scrutinize. The actions of men in high stations are all conspicuous, and liable to be scanned and sifted. Atterbury.

t. [imp. & p. p. Scanned; p. pr. & vb. n. Scanning.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913