check

check [chek]

n.

[ME chek < OFr eschec, eschac, a check at chess, repulse < ML scaccus, scahus < Pers šāh, king, principal piece in a game of chess (see SHAH¹); prob. sense development: king in danger — hostile action — restraining action — means of restraint or control]

1. a sudden stop; abrupt halt

2. any restraint or control put upon action

3. a person or thing that restrains or controls

4. a supervision of accuracy, efficiency, etc.

5.

a) a test, comparison, examination, etc. to determine if something is as it should be

b) a standard or sample used in making such a determination

6. a mark (✓) to show approval or verification of something, or to call attention to it

☆ 7. an identification ticket or other token enabling one to claim an item left in a checkroom, etc. [a hat check ]

☆ 8. one's bill at a restaurant or bar

☆ 9. Now Rare a gambling chip

10. a written order to a bank to pay the stated amount of money from one's account

11.

a) a pattern of small squares like that of a chessboard

b) one of these squares

12. a fabric with such a pattern

13. a small split, crack, or chink

14. Obs. a rebuke; reprimand

15. Chess the condition of a king that is in danger of capture on the opponent's next move: when in such a condition, one's king must, if possible, be protected

16. Hockey a blocking or bumping of an opponent

interj.

☆ 1. Informal agreed; I understand; right; OK

2. Chess used to signify that one's opponent's king is in check

vt.

1. to cause to stop suddenly; halt abruptly

2. to hold back; restrain; control

3. to rebuff, repulse, or rebuke

4. to test, measure, verify, or control by investigation, comparison, or examination [check the accounts]

5. to mark with a check (✓)

6. to mark with a pattern of squares

☆ 7. to deposit or receive for deposit temporarily, as in a checkroom

☆ 8. to get (esp. luggage) cleared for shipment

9. to make chinks or cracks in

☆ 10. Agric. to plant in checkrows

11. Chess to place (an opponent's king) in check

12. Hockey to block or bump (an opponent)

13. Naut. to reduce the strain on (a line) by letting it out gradually

vi.

☆ 1. to agree with one another, item for item [the accounts check ]

☆ 2. to investigate in order to determine the condition, validity, etc. of something: often with on

☆ 3. to draw a check on a bank account

4. to crack in small checks [cheap paint may check]

5. to stop or halt; specif., to pause, as a hunting dog, to pick up the scent

6. Falconry to turn from the pursuit of one prey to follow a lesser one (with at)

☆ 7. Poker to decline one's chance to open a round of betting

adj.

1. used to check or verify [a check experiment]

2. having a crisscross pattern; checked

SYN.- RESTRAIN

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☆ check in

1. to register at a hotel, convention, etc.

2. Informal to report, as by presenting oneself [check in at the office]

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check off

to mark as verified, examined, etc.

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☆ check out

1. to settle one's bill and leave a hotel, hospital, etc.

2. to add up the prices of purchases and collect the total: said of a cashier, as in a supermarket

3.

a) to examine and verify or approve

b) to prove to be accurate, in sound condition, etc. upon examination

4. to draw (money) from a bank by check

5. to register items to be loaned out, as books from a library

6. Slang to die

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☆ check up on

to examine the record, character, etc. of; investigate

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in check

in restraint; under control