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Glite Dictionary
📠 A small scanner ✋ A biometric reader
hand scanner

hand scanner

3.7
A device that reads your palm or hand shape to check who you are
  • noun
  • /hænd ˈskænər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escáner de mano
  • Visitors must place their palm under the hand scanner before entering the secure laboratory.

Examples

  • The facility installed a hand scanner at the door to verify employees' identities.

  • When the system failed, security manually checked IDs while technicians repaired the hand scanner.

  • The hand scanner quickly verified her identity.

  • We need to install a hand scanner at the entrance.

  • The facility installed a hand scanner at the door to verify employees' identities.

  • Visitors must place their palm under the hand scanner before entering the secure laboratory.

  • The hand scanner quickly verified her identity.

How Accurate

iris scanning
  • Specialized
1 6.0
hand scanner
  • Specialized
3.7
finger scan
  • Specialized
3.5

Surface Forms

hand scanner singular
hand scanners plural

Morphology

hand + scanner

The meaning is directly compositional: 'hand' (the body part) + 'scanner' (a device that detects/digitizes) yields a device that scans a hand, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it's equipment for reading the hand. The precise biometric details (palm prints, vein patterns) are technical but do not obscure the overall, predictable meaning.

Etymology

Hand scanner comes from the clear image of a machine that scans a real hand when you place your palm on or near it, reading the lines or shape of your palm. So it means a security device that checks who you are, 'to identify' a person.