Scan Meaning
Scan Definition & Usage
To look at, examine, or investigate something quickly and carefully, often to detect details or patterns.
Examples
- "She scanned the document for any spelling mistakes before sending it off."
- "I quickly scanned the room to see if anyone had noticed me."
- "He scanned the list of names for his own."
- "The police officer scanned the crowd for any suspicious activity."
- "Can you scan this page and email it to me?"
To use a device (such as a scanner) to convert a physical document or image into a digital format.
Examples
- "I need to scan these photos for the family album."
- "Please scan the contract and send it to my email."
- "The librarian asked me to scan the pages before I returned the book."
- "She scanned the receipts and uploaded them to her expense report."
- "Have you scanned your ID for the registration process?"
To examine or review something (such as data or a report) quickly in order to gain a general understanding.
Examples
- "He scanned the news headlines while drinking his coffee."
- "She quickly scanned the report to prepare for the meeting."
- "I’ll just scan through the emails to see if there’s anything urgent."
- "She scanned the job listings to find relevant openings."
- "The team scanned the data for any irregularities."
An image or document that has been digitized using a scanner or similar technology.
Examples
- "The scan of my passport was accepted for verification."
- "He made a high-quality scan of the painting for the exhibit."
- "Can you send me the scan of the contract?"
- "The police used a fingerprint scan to identify the suspect."
- "The doctor reviewed the MRI scan for any signs of injury."
Cultural Context
The word 'scan' comes from the Latin word 'scandere', which means 'to climb or examine closely'. Over time, it has evolved to describe a process of examining or converting information, often with the help of technology.
The Digital Archive
Story
The Digital Archive
As Emily entered the cramped, cluttered office of the local historical society, she was greeted by the warm scent of old paper and dust. She had spent months volunteering to help digitize the archives, and today was her chance to scan the old family records she'd been working with. 'This is going to take all afternoon,' she thought, but she loved the work—scanning the faded documents into a digital format was like bringing history back to life. She set the papers on the scanner, making sure the delicate edges didn't tear, and pressed the button. As the scanner whirred to life, she glanced at the screen, watching the pages quickly appear on her computer. It was mesmerizing how quickly everything could be captured with just a scan. Her mind wandered as she looked over the names on the page—many of them unfamiliar, yet each one told a story. Just then, her coworker, Sam, entered the room. 'Hey, Emily, are you scanning the letter from the 1800s?' he asked. 'Yes, this one's from 1885,' she replied. 'I think it’ll be a key piece in the exhibit.' Sam nodded. 'That's great. I'll scan the photos from the exhibit tomorrow.' Emily smiled. With every scan, they were preserving a piece of history, ensuring it would be accessible to everyone, anytime. As she finished scanning the final batch, she reflected on the importance of their work. Each scan, each click of the mouse, was more than just a digital copy—it was an act of preservation, a way to keep memories alive for generations to come.
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