check

¹check

noun \ˈchek\

Definition of CHECK

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 checks, 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

: under restraint or control <trying to keep his emotions in check>

Examples of CHECK

1. Please give the schedule a check to see if the times are correct.
2. I gave the ingredients list a quick check to see if the cereal contained any sugar.
3. She ran a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly.
4. The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen.
5. He was penalized for an illegal check.
6. He made out the check to me and signed it, and I deposited it in my account.
7. Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card?
8. a fabric with a blue and yellow check

Origin of CHECK

Middle English chek, from Anglo-French eschec, from Arabic shāh, from Persian, literally, king; akin to Greek ktasthai to acquire, Sanskrit kṣatra dominion

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CHECK

Synonyms: bill, tab

Antonyms: continuance, continuation

Related Words: invoice, receipt; account, reckoning, record, statement; charge, cost, damage, expense, fee, figure; score, tally

Near Antonyms: freedom, latitude

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Rhymes with CHECK

beck, Cech, Czech, deck, dreck, Eck, fleck, heck, Lech, lek, neck, pec, peck, reck, sec, sneck, spec, speck, trek, wreak, wreck