Scan dear construction (4)
I believe the answer is:
read
'scan' is the definition.
('read' can be a synonym of 'scan')
'dear construction' is the wordplay.
'construction' is an anagram indicator (answer constructed from certain letters).
'dear' anagrammed gives 'READ'.
(Other definitions for read that I've seen before include "Interpret printed matter" , "Con" , "Examine" , "Interpret (text)" , "Undertake a course of study" .)