Scan
/skæn/noun
To look over or examine something quickly and systematically.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to cut off” or “separate,” which is why its older sense was closer to skimming or picking out details than to today’s digital scanning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skei-
“to split, cut, separate”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*skaną
“to cut, scrape, or separate”
Old English
English
scannan
“to examine, scrutinize, or look over quickly”
Middle English
English
scan(n)
“to look through verse or text carefully; to examine”
Modern English
English
scan
“to look over quickly and systematically, or to digitize by reading line by line”