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Check Very Common

Check has 44 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

a written order directing a bank to pay money

"he paid all his bills by check"

2

an appraisal of the state of affairs

"they made an assay of the contents"

"a check on its dependability under stress"

3

the bill in a restaurant

"he asked the waiter for the check"

4

the state of inactivity following an interruption

"the negotiations were in arrest"

"held them in check"

"during the halt he got some lunch"

"the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow"

"he spent the entire stop in his seat"

5

additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

"fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory"

6

the act of inspecting or verifying

"they made a check of their equipment"

"the pilot ran through the check-out procedure"

7

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"

8

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

"The missing permit was just a minor check holding up our construction schedule."

9

a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something

"The old chair leg was covered in jagged checks where termites had eaten away the wood over time."

10

a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)

"she wore a skirt with checks"

11

the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

"his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"

12

obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

"The defenseman dropped his stick to check the forward and steal possession of the puck near center ice."

13

(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king

"After moving his rook to the eighth rank, I realized my bishop was finally able to check the opposing king without any pieces blocking the line."

14

A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.

"The dog was wearing a bandana with a bright red and white check design around its neck."

15

A pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.

In plain English: A check is a piece of paper used to pay money from your bank account instead of using cash.

"She took a quick check of her reflection in the mirror before going out."

Usage: Use "check" to describe a fabric or surface featuring a pattern of alternating colored squares, such as a checkerboard or a picnic blanket. Do not use this term for a single square within the grid, which is more accurately called a cell or space.

Verb
1

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

"check the brakes"

"Check out the engine"

2

make an examination or investigation

"check into the rumor"

"check the time of the class"

3

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

"He verified that the valves were closed"

"See that the curtains are closed"

"control the quality of the product"

4

lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

"moderate your alcohol intake"

"hold your tongue"

"hold your temper"

"control your anger"

5

stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution

"She checked for an instant and missed a step"

6

put a check mark on or near or next to

"Please check each name on the list"

"tick off the items"

"mark off the units"

7

slow the growth or development of

"The brain damage will retard the child's language development"

8

be verified or confirmed; pass inspection

"These stories don't check!"

9

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

"The two stories don't agree in many details"

"The handwriting checks with the signature on the check"

"The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun"

10

block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey

"The defenseman stepped in front of the forward to check him before he could reach the goal line."

11

develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control

"Parents must discipline their children"

"Is this dog trained?"

12

consign for shipment on a vehicle

"check your luggage before boarding"

13

hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

"Check your coat at the door"

14

abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey

"The falcon abandoned its massive eagle and turned to chase a smaller pigeon instead."

15

stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

"The dog checked"

16

mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on

"The surveyor carefully checked each field in the large meadow before marking it off as surveyed land."

17

decline to initiate betting

"After he refused to check his hand, the other player knew they had already won the pot without seeing what was dealt."

18

hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

"Arrest the downward trend"

"Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"

"Contain the rebel movement"

"Turn back the tide of communism"

19

place into check

"He checked my kings"

20

write out a check on a bank account

"After his salary was deposited, he sat down at his desk to write out a check for rent from his bank account."

21

find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

"I want to see whether she speaks French"

"See whether it works"

"find out if he speaks Russian"

"Check whether the train leaves on time"

22

verify by consulting a source or authority

"check the spelling of this word"

"check your facts"

23

arrest the motion (of something) abruptly

"He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve"

24

make cracks or chinks in

"The heat checked the paint"

25

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

"The glass cracked when it was heated"

26

To inspect; to examine.

"The new wallpaper features an elegant black and white check design that brightens up the dining room."

27

To mark with a check pattern.

In plain English: To check means to look at something carefully to make sure it is correct or safe.

"She checked her watch to see if she was late for the meeting."

Usage: Use "check" to mean examining something carefully or verifying facts, not to apply a visual pattern. Avoid using it to describe marking a surface with lines when you simply want to indicate approval or correctness.

Adjective
1

Divided into small squares by transverse, perpendicular, and horizontal lines.

"The old quilt was made of a check fabric that featured tiny blue squares against a white background."

In plain English: Check means something that is correct and free from mistakes.

"The check engine light on my dashboard is flashing again."

Usage: Use "checkered" to describe something marked with a pattern of small squares formed by intersecting lines. Do not use the noun form "check" as an adjective unless referring specifically to a monetary transaction or a game move.

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"The Check family has lived on that farm for three generations."

Example Sentences
"The check engine light on my dashboard is flashing again." adj
"She took a quick check of her reflection in the mirror before going out." noun
"She checked her watch to see if she was late for the meeting." verb
See Also
pay bill mark straightedge pattern matching money cardioinhibitory blank check
Related Terms
pay bill mark straightedge pattern matching money cardioinhibitory blank check bank check call bridle arrest dip checkwriter reality check maneuver balk safekeeping strike off control
Antonyms
disaccord
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
draft appraisal bill inaction proof inspection mark difficulty blemish weave restraint obstruction chess move analyze examine verify restrain stop change equal obstruct develop consign draw move defend attack write out crack
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
bad check kite counter check giro paycheck certified check personal check cashier's check blank check medicare check countercheck Apgar score paternity test stress test logjam bed check crosscheck parity check checksum spot check albatross bind diriment impediment drag obstacle straitjacket houndstooth check poke check discovered check watch screen breathalyze proofread control double-check cross-check cinch card spot-check cover suppress damp mortify deny train catch bate thermostat receipt dampen stay consist look answer coincide align correlate parallel twin square corroborate resemble homologize befit harmonize pattern adhere rhyme cut down test stem crack

Origin

The word "check" entered English via French and Latin as a term for the king in chess. Its ultimate origin lies in Persian and Indo-Iranian roots meaning "king," which evolved to signify the game move that threatens or halts an opponent's progress.

Rhyming Words
eck neck meck weck heck reck feck peck teck deck geck veck seck keck beck steck freck kneck breck sneck
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