check
check /ˈtʃɛk/
noun
-
()
[ N. American]
A written order directing a bank to pay money
(
bank check
[American] , cheque
[Canadian, British] , check
[ N. American] )
a written order directing a bank to pay money
He paid all his bills by check
he paid all his bills by check
-
()
An appraisal of the state of affairs
(
assay
, check
)
an appraisal of the state of affairs
They made an assay of the contents
they made an assay of the contents
A check on its dependability under stress
a check on its dependability under stress
-
()
[ N. American]
The bill in a restaurant
(
chit
, tab
[Informal, N. American] , check
[ N. American] )
the bill in a restaurant
He asked the waiter for the check
he asked the waiter for the check
-
()
The act of inspecting or verifying
(
check-out procedure
, check
, checkout
)
the act of inspecting or verifying
They made a check of their equipment
they made a check of their equipment
The pilot ran through the check-out procedure
the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
-
()
Additional proof that something that was believed (some fact, hypothesis or theory) is correct
(
substantiation
, check
, verification
, confirmation
)
additional proof that something that was believed (some fact, hypothesis or theory) is correct
Fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
-
()
The state of inactivity following an interruption
(
arrest
, hitch
, stay
, check
, halt
, stop
, stoppage
)
the state of inactivity following an interruption
The negotiations were in arrest
the negotiations were in arrest
Held them in check
held them in check
During the halt he got some lunch
during the halt he got some lunch
The momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
He spent the entire stop in his seat
he spent the entire stop in his seat
-
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
(
check
)
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
In the midst of the chess game, she moved her knight and declared a check.
In the midst of the chess game, she moved her knight and declared a check.
-
Obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
(
check
)
obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
-
The act of restraining power, action or limiting excess
(
bridle
, check
, curb
)
the act of restraining power, action or limiting excess
His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
-
A textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
(
check
)
a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
She wore a skirt with checks
she wore a skirt with checks
-
A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
(
check
, chip
)
a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
-
Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
(
balk
, baulk
, check
, deterrent
, handicap
, hinderance
, hindrance
, impediment
)
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
A mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
(
check
, tick
[British] , check mark
)
a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
As he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
verb
-
()
Examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
(
check over
, check up on
, suss out
[Informal, British] , check
, check into
, check out
, go over
, look into
, suss
[Informal, British] )
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
Check the brakes
check the brakes
Check out the engine
Check out the engine
-
()
Make an examination or investigation
(
check
)
make an examination or investigation
Check into the rumor
check into the rumor
Check the time of the class
check the time of the class
-
()
Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
(
control
, ascertain
, ensure
, assure
, check
, insure
, see
, see to it
)
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
He verified that the valves were closed
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
See that the curtains are closed
Control the quality of the product
control the quality of the product
-
()
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
(
hold
, moderate
, hold in
, check
, contain
, control
, curb
)
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
Moderate your alcohol intake
moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
hold your tongue
Hold your temper
hold your temper
Control your anger
control your anger
-
()
Slow the growth or development of
(
delay
, retard
, check
)
slow the growth or development of
The brain damage will retard the child's language development
The brain damage will retard the child's language development
-
()
Put a check mark on, near or next to
(
check off
, mark
, mark off
, check
, tick
[British] , tick off
[Informal, Canadian, British] )
put a check mark on, near or next to
Please check each name on the list
Please check each name on the list
Tick off the items
tick off the items
Mark off the units
mark off the units
-
()
Stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
(
check
)
stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
She checked for an instant and missed a step
She checked for an instant and missed a step
-
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
(
break
, check
, crack
)
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
The glass cracked when it was heated
The glass cracked when it was heated
-
Make cracks or chinks in
(
check
, chink
)
make cracks or chinks in
The heat checked the paint
The heat checked the paint
-
Arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
(
check
)
arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
-
Verify by consulting a source or authority
(
check
)
verify by consulting a source or authority
Check the spelling of this word
check the spelling of this word
Check your facts
check your facts
-
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
(
ascertain
, check
, determine
, find out
, learn
, see
, watch
)
find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
I want to see whether she speaks French
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Check whether the train leaves on time
-
[American]
Write out a check on a bank account
(
check
[American] )
write out a check on a bank account
-
(chess) place into check
(
check
)
(chess) place into check
He checked my kings
He checked my kings
-
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
(
check
, contain
, turn back
, arrest
, hold back
, stop
)
hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
Arrest the downward trend
Arrest the downward trend
Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
Contain the rebel movement
Contain the rebel movement
Turn back the tide of communism
Turn back the tide of communism
-
(card game) decline to initiate betting
(
check
)
(card game) decline to initiate betting
-
[ N. American]
Mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
(
check
[ N. American] , checker
[ N. American] , chequer
[Canadian, British] )
mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
-
Stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
(
check
)
stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
The dog checked
The dog checked
-
(falconry) abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
(
check
)
(falconry) abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
-
[ N. American]
Hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
(
check
[ N. American] )
hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
Check your coat at the door
Check your coat at the door
-
Consign for shipment on a vehicle
(
check
)
consign for shipment on a vehicle
Check your luggage before boarding
check your luggage before boarding
-
Develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
(
check
, condition
, discipline
, train
)
develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
Parents must discipline their children
Parents must discipline their children
Is this dog trained?
Is this dog trained?
-
Block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
(
check
)
block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
-
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
(
check
, gibe
, jibe
, agree
, correspond
, fit
, match
, tally
)
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
The two stories don't agree in many details
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
-
Be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
(
check
, check out
)
be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
These stories don't check!
These stories don't check!