[check] n [ME chek, fr. MF eschec, fr. Ar shah, fr. Per, lit., king; akin to Gk ktasthai to acquire, Skt ksatra dominion] (15c) 1: exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety
2. a: a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress: arrest b: a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey)
3: a sudden pause or break in a progression
4. archaic: reprimand, rebuke
5: one that arrests, limits, or restrains: restraint "against all ~s, rebukes, and manners, I must advance --Shak."
6. a: a standard for testing and evaluation: criterion b: examination c: inspection, investigation "a loyalty ~ on government employees" d: the act of testing or verifying; also: the sample or unit used for testing or verifying 7: a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed: draft
8. a: a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made "a baggage ~" b: a counter in various games c: a slip indicating the amount due: bill
9. [ME chek, short for cheker checker] a: a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard b: a fabric woven or printed with such a design 10: a mark typically placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified 11: crack, break -- check.less adj -- in check : under restraint or control
[2]check vt (14c) 1: to put (a chess king) in check
2. chiefly dial: rebuke, reprimand 3 a: to slow or bring to a stop: brake "hastily ~ed the impulse" b: to block the progress of (as a hockey player)
4. a: to restrain or diminish the action or force of: control b: to slack or ease off and then belay again (as a rope)
5. a: to compare with a source, original, or authority: verify b: to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly--usu. used with out or over "~ing out new cars" c: to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory--often used with off "~ed off each item"
6. a: to consign (as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket "~ed our bags before boarding" b: to ship or accept for shipment under such a consignment 7: to mark into squares: checker 8: to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom 9: to make checks or chinks: cause to crack "the sun ~s timber" ~ vi 1 a of a dog: to stop in a chase esp. when scent is lost b: to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear: stop
2. a: to investigate conditions "~ed on the passengers' safety" b: to prove to be consistent or truthful "the description ~s with the photograph"--often used with out "the story ~ed out"
3: to draw a check on a bank
4: to waive the right to initiate the betting in a round of poker
5: crack, split syn see restrain -- check into 1: to check in at "check into a hotel"
2: investigate -- check up on : investigate