scanning Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
   
2. noun the act of systematically moving a finely focused beam of light or electrons over a surface in order to produce an image of it for analysis or transmission
   
3. verb examine minutely or intensely
   scan.
   
   • the surgeon scanned the X-ray
4. verb examine hastily
   glance over; rake; skim; run down; scan.
   
   • She scanned the newspaper headlines while waiting for the taxi
5. verb make a wide, sweeping search of
   scan.
   
   • The beams scanned the night sky
6. verb conform to a metrical pattern
   scan.
   
7. verb move a light beam over; in electronics, to reproduce an image
   scan.
   
8. verb read metrically
   scan.
   
   • scan verses
9. verb obtain data from magnetic tapes
   read; scan.
   
   • This dictionary can be read by the computer

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