Check
Origin 1
From Old French eschec, from Medieval Latin scaccus, from Arabic شاه, from Persian شاه (šâh, "king"). All English senses developed from the chess sense.
Full definition of check
Noun
check
(plural checks)- (chess) A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
- An inspection or examination.I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.
- A control; a limit or stop.checks and balancesThe castle moat should hold the enemy in check.
- Addisona remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity
- (US) A mark (especially a checkmark: indicator, equivalent to a tick (UK).Place a check by the things you have done.
- (US) An order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity; a cheque (UK, Canada).I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount.
- (US) A bill, particularly in a restaurant.I summoned the waiter, paid the check, and hurried to leave.
- (contact sports) A maneuver performed by a player to take another player out of the play.The hockey player gave a good hard check to obtain the puck.
- A token used instead of cash in gaming machines.
- 1963, American law reports annotated: second series (volume 89)...the statute prohibits a machine which dispenses checks or tokens for replay...
- A lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood.
- A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified.a check given for baggage; a return check on a railroad
- (falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
- A small chink or crack.
Synonyms
Descendants
- German:
- Spanish:
Verb
- To inspect; to examine.Check the oil in your car once a month.Check whether this page has a watermark.
- To mark with a checkmark.Check the correct answer to each question.
- To control, limit, or halt.Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.
- Burkeso many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression
- 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses (novel) Chapter 13She was about to retort but something checked the words on her tongue.
- To verify or compare with a source of information.Check your data against known values.
- To leave in safekeeping.Check your hat and coat at the door.
- To leave with a shipping agent for shipping.Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight.
- (street basketball) To pass or bounce the ball to an opponent from behind the three-point line and have the opponent pass or bounce it back to start play.He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup.That basket doesn't count—you forgot to check!
- (contact sports) To physically remove a person from play.The hockey player checked the defenceman to obtain the puck.
- (poker) To remain in a hand without betting. Only legal if no one has yet bet.Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked.
- (chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece, especially the king, in check; to put in check.
- To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
- ShakespeareThe good king, his master, will check him for it.
- (nautical) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
- To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
- To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack.The sun checks timber.
- To make a stop; to pause; with at.
- John LockeThe mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after.
- (obsolete) To clash or interfere.
- To act as a curb or restraint.
- DrydenIt presence checks too strong upon me.
- (falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
- ShakespeareAnd like the haggard, check at every feather
That comes before his eye.
Derived terms
Origin 2
By shortening from checker, from Old French eschequier ("chessboard"), from Medieval Latin scaccarium, ultimately from the same Persian root as above.