Check - Definition

n 1: a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
his bills by check" [syn: check, bank check, cheque]
2: an appraisal of the state of affairs; "they made an assay of
the contents"; "a check on its dependability under stress"
[syn: assay, check]
3: the bill in a restaurant; "he asked the waiter for the check"
[syn: check, chit, tab]
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"
[syn: arrest, check, halt, hitch, stay, stop,
stoppage]
5: additional proof that something that was believed (some fact
or hypothesis or theory) is correct; "fossils provided
further confirmation of the evolutionary theory" [syn:
confirmation, verification, check, substantiation]
6: the act of inspecting or verifying; "they made a check of
their equipment"; "the pilot ran through the check-out
procedure" [syn: check, checkout, 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" [syn: check mark, check, tick]
8: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or
progress [syn: hindrance, hinderance, deterrent,
impediment, balk, baulk, check, handicap]
9: a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken
off of something [syn: check, chip]
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" [syn:
bridle, check, curb]
12: obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
13: (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
v 1: examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition;
"check the brakes"; "Check out the engine" [syn: check,
check up on, look into, check out, suss out, check
over, go over, check into]
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" [syn: see, check, insure, see to it,
ensure, control, ascertain, assure]
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" [syn:
control, hold in, hold, contain, check, curb,
moderate]
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"
[syn: check, check off, mark, mark off, tick off,
tick]
7: slow the growth or development of; "The brain damage will
retard the child's language development" [syn: check,
retard, delay]
8: be verified or confirmed; pass inspection; "These stories
don't check!" [syn: check, check out]
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" [syn: match, fit, correspond, check, jibe,
gibe, tally, agree] [ant: disaccord, disagree,
discord]
10: block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice
hockey
11: develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice;
especially to teach self-control; "Parents must discipline
their children"; "Is this dog trained?" [syn: discipline,
train, check, condition]
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
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
[syn: check, checker, chequer]
17: decline to initiate betting
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" [syn: check,
turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back]
19: place into check; "He checked my kings"
20: write out a check on a 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"
[syn: determine, check, find out, see, ascertain,
watch, learn]
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" [syn:
check, chink]
25: become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; "The
glass cracked when it was heated" [syn: crack, check,
break]