See Also: d check(medicine)
check-in(dictionary)
Check(finance)
check(1)(dictionary)
check(encyclopedia)
check(dictionary)
check-(dictionary)
check(4)(dictionary)
check(3)(dictionary)
check(2)(dictionary)

check(4) (iou)



check verb1. LME.
[Aphet. from Old French eschequier play chess, give check to, from eschec CHECK noun1.]
verb trans. Directly threaten (an opponent's king, transf. one's opponent) at chess; put in check. LME.
fig.: Shakespeare King John Thy bastard shall be king, That thou mayst be a queen and check the world.
verb trans. Suddenly stop or slow the motion of; physically obstruct (an opposing player) in ice hockey etc. LME.
S. Brett As his finger moved towards the button, he checked it.
verb intrans. Falconry. Of a falcon etc.: recoil at or shy from the fist; abandon the quarry and fly at other prey. E16.
verb trans. Stop (a person) from receiving part of his or her wages. E16-E19.
verb trans. Rebuke, reprove, reprimand. Now colloq. E16.
verb intrans. & trans. Clash or collide with or with. M16-M17.
verb trans. Stay the onward course of, repress, restrain, (actions, growth, feelings, etc.); hold (an agent) in check or under restraint, curb; curb oneself in an action etc. L16.
J. Cary She began to laugh and then checked herself. C. Mackenzie You will exercise your influence..to check such criticism. E. Bowen She checked or attempted to hide a shiver by wrapping her arms closely across her breast. Isaiah Berlin This does tend to check our arrogance, to induce humility.
verb intrans. Stop (short); restrain oneself. Formerly also fig., take offence (at). E17.
R. Kipling The lama turned to this and that, and finally checked..before a large alto-relief. F. Tuohy The small movements of his body checked and became total stillness.
b. Hunting. Of a dog: stop on losing a scent, or to make sure of one. M18.
verb trans. Test (a statement, account, figures, work, a person working, etc.) by comparison or other investigation; examine the accuracy or condition of; inspect or investigate to ensure the satisfactoriness or suitability of. Now freq. foll. by out, up. L17.
Burke I have checked this account..and find it to be correct. A. Lurie My first reaction is to check my stockings for runs.
b. verb intrans. Make a comparison or investigation, conduct a check. Freq. foll. by on, up (on). E20.
parity checking: see PARITY noun1.
D. Hammett The District Attorney will have questioned him and checked up on him. J. Dickey As we cleared each turn..I kept looking for white water, and when I'd checked for that I looked along both banks.
verb intrans. Draw a cheque (upon, for). US. E19.
checking account US a current account at a bank etc.
verb trans. Deposit (luggage etc.) for storage or dispatch (in return for a check (see CHECK noun1 8)). Chiefly N. Amer. M19.
verb trans. Note with or indicate by a tick or other mark of verification. Also foll. by off. M19.
verb intrans. Agree when compared. Also foll. by out. E20.
M. M. Atwater If there's finger-prints on it, and yours don't check, that'll let you out.
With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: check in arrive, and be recorded as arriving, at a hotel, factory, airport, etc.; record the arrival of (a person) at a hotel etc. check into arrive, and be recorded as arriving, at (a hotel etc.). check out depart, and be recorded as departing, from a hotel, factory, airport, etc.; fig. (colloq.) die; record the departure of (a person) at a hotel etc.; (see also senses 9, 13 above). check out of depart, and be recorded as departing, from (a hotel etc.). check over, check through examine or verify successive items or parts of.
checkable adjective L19.