I. ˈchek noun
Etymology: Middle English chek, from Anglo-French eschec, from Arabic shāh, from Persian, literally, king; akin to Greek ktasthai to acquire, Sanskrit kṣatra dominion
Date: 15th century
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 check s, rebukes, and manners, I must advance — Shakespeare
6.
a. : a standard for testing and evaluation : criterion
b. : examination
a quick check of the engine
c. : inspection , investigation
a loyalty check 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 check
b. : a counter in various games
c. : a slip indicating the amount due : bill
9.
[Middle English 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 ˈche-kləs adjective
•
- in check
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to put (a chess king) in check
2. chiefly dialect : rebuke , reprimand
3.
a. : to slow or bring to a stop : brake
hastily check 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
needs to check her facts
b. : to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly — usually used with out or over
check ing out new cars
c. : to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory — often used with off
check ed off each item
6.
a. : to consign (as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket
check 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
check a coat
9. : to make checks or chinks : cause to crack
the sun check s timber
intransitive verb
1.
a. of a dog : to stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
b. : to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear : stop
2.
a. : to investigate conditions
check ed on the passengers' safety
b. : to prove to be consistent or truthful
the description check s with the photograph
— often used with out
the story check 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
Synonyms: see restrain
•
- check into
- check up on
III. inter
— used to express assent or agreement