check
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: Check
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English chek, chekke, borrowed from Old French eschek, eschec, eschac, from Medieval Latin scaccus, borrowed from Arabic شَاه (šāh, “king or check at chess, shah”), borrowed from Classical Persian شَاه (šāh, “king”), from Middle Persian 𐭬𐭫𐭪𐭠 (mlkʾ /šāh/), from Old Persian 𐏋 (XŠ /xšāyaθiya/, “king”), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *kšáyati (“he rules, he has power over”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tek- (“to gain power over, gain control over”). All of the English senses developed from the chess sense. Compare Saterland Frisian Schak, Schach, Dutch schaak, German Schach, Danish skak, Swedish schack, Icelandic skák, French échec, Italian scacco. See chess and shah (“king of Persia or Iran”), from the same source.
Noun
check (plural checks)
- An inspection or examination.
- I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.
- A control; a limit or stop.
- checks and balances
- The castle moat should hold the enemy in check.
- 2024 November 11 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 33. Monday, October 31. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:
- a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity
- (chess) A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece. [from 14th c.]
- (US) A mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator.
- 1980, Stephen King, The Mist:
- Norton had made a neat, lawyerly check beside each of the items he and Billy had picked up—half a dozen or so, including the milk and a six-pack of Coke.
- (US) An order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity.
- Synonym: (UK, Canada) cheque
- I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount.
- (US) A bill, particularly in a restaurant.
- (contact sports) A maneuver performed by a player to take another player out of the play.
- The hockey player gave a good hard check to obtain the puck.
- A token used instead of cash in gaming machines, or in gambling generally.
- 1963, American law reports annotated: second series, volume 89:
- […] the statute prohibits a machine which dispenses checks or tokens for replay […]
- A lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood.
- A mark, certificate, or token by which errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified.
- a check given for baggage
- a return check on a railroad
- (falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds. [from 15th c.]
- A small chink or crack.
Hyponyms
Derived terms
- aircheck
- backcheck
- bounce a check
- buttcheck
- checkage
- checkback
- checkbox
- check is in the mail
- checkitis
- checkless
- checkman
- check minus
- check plus
- checkpoint
- checkpointless
- checkpost
- checkrein
- checkride
- checkroll
- checkroom
- checkrow
- checkstand
- checkstop
- checkstring
- checksum
- CheckUser
- check washing
- checkweighman
- checkwriter
- countercheck
- hatcheck
- mischeck
- pass in one's checks
- soundcheck
- stopcheck
- telecheck
- time check
- time-of-check to time-of-use
- write checks one can't cash
Translations
inspection or examination
|
control, limit or stop
|
chess: when the king is directly threatened by an enemy piece
|
mark used as an indicator
|
bank order — see cheque
bill, particularly at a restaurant — see also bill
|
token used instead of cash in gaming machines, or in gambling generally
lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood
|
mark, certificate or token by which errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified
falconry: forsaking by a hawk of its proper game
|
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
References
Etymology 2
From Middle English chekken, partly from Old French eschequier and partly from the noun (see above).
Verb
check (third-person singular simple present checks, present participle checking, simple past and past participle checked)
- (transitive) To inspect; to examine.
- Check the oil in your car once a month.
- Check whether this page has a watermark.
- (transitive) To verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit).
- (transitive, US, often used with "off") To mark items on a list (with a checkmark or by crossing them out) that have been chosen for keeping or removal or that have been dealt with (for example, completed or verified as correct or satisfactory).
- (transitive) To control, limit, or halt.
- Synonyms: curtail, restrain; see also Thesaurus:curb
- Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.
- c. 1775–1780, Edmund Burke, letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol
- so many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression
- 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 13]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:
- She was about to retort but something checked the words on her tongue.
- (informal, transitive) To scold or rebuke someone.
- (transitive) To verify or compare with a source of information.
- Check your data against known values.
- (transitive) To leave in safekeeping.
- Check your hat and coat at the door.
- (transitive) To leave with a shipping agent for shipping.
- Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight.
- (street basketball, transitive) To pass or bounce the ball to an opponent from behind the three-point line and have the opponent pass or bounce it back to start play.
- He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup.
- That basket doesn't count—you forgot to check!
- (sports, transitive) To disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck.
- (poker, transitive) To announce that one is remaining in a hand without betting.
- Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked.
- (chess, transitive) To make a move which puts an adversary's king in check; to put in check.
- After I checked my opponent with a pawn, he resigned immediately.
- (transitive) To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
- c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
- The good king, his master, will check him for it.
- (nautical) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
- To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
- (transitive) To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack.
- The sun checks timber.
- (intransitive, with at) To make a stop; to pause.
- a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC:
- The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after.
- (obsolete) To clash or interfere.
- 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Love”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
- For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes.
- To act as a curb or restraint.
- 1677 (first performance), John Dryden, All for Love: Or, The World Well Lost. A Tragedy, […], [London]: […] Tho[mas] Newcomb, for Henry Herringman, […], published 1678, →OCLC, (please specify the page number):
- It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.
- (falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
- c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
- And like the haggard, check at every feather
That comes before his eye.
Derived terms
Terms derived from the noun or verb check
- A check
- backcheck
- background check
- baggage check
- B check
- bed-check
- blank check
- blank check company
- blue check
- blue check mark
- body-check
- bounced check
- brake check
- buttcheck
- C check
- certified check
- checkability
- checkable
- check against
- check all the boxes
- check and balance
- check and mate
- check at the door
- checkbook
- check box
- check-call
- check casher
- check clerk
- check cop
- check digit
- checked baggage
- checkee
- checker
- checkered
- checkers
- check-fold
- check hook
- check in
- check in
- check-in
- checking
- checking account
- checking account
- check into
- check into
- check in with oneself
- check is in the mail
- check it out
- check key
- checklist
- check mark
- checkmate
- check nut
- check off
- check off
- check on
- check one's eyelids for leaks
- checkout
- check out
- check out
- check-out time
- check over
- check over
- check-rail
- check rail
- check-raise
- check-rein
- check scale
- check sheet
- check side
- check swing
- check-swing
- check-taker
- check the math
- check through
- check-up
- check up
- check up
- checkup
- check up on
- check up on
- check valve
- check viewer
- check weigher
- check your privilege
- check yourself before you wreck yourself
- coat check
- countercheck
- cross-check
- cross check
- cup check
- cyclic redundancy check
- D check
- desk check
- double-check
- dustbin check
- e-check
- fact-check
- fact check
- forecheck
- gate check, gate-check
- gut-check
- heart check
- hip check
- in check
- last I checked
- last time I checked
- mic-check
- mischeck
- namecheck
- need one's eyes checked
- overcheck
- pantry check
- pass check
- pay check
- perimeter check
- perpetual check
- precheck
- Prince of Wales check
- recheck
- return check
- rubber check
- sanity check
- smog check
- soundcheck
- speed check
- spell-check
- spell check
- spot check
- spot-check
- swing check valve
- take check
- triple check
- type-check
- unch
- unchecked
- vibe check
- welfare check
- wellness check
- wet check
Descendants
Translations
to inspect, examine
|
to verify the accuracy of a text or translation
to mark with a checkmark
|
to control, limit, or halt
|
to verify or compare with a source of information
|
to leave in safekeeping
to leave with shipping agent for shipping
street basketball: to pass or bounce the ball to an opponent to start play
sports: to disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck
poker: to remain in the hand without betting
chess: to make a move which puts an adversary's king in check
to crack or gape open, as wood in drying
to make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack
|
to make a stop; to pause
to act as a curb or restraint
falconry: to turn and fly after other birds than intended game
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Interjection
check
- An expression showing that a requirement has been satisfied.
- Keys? Check. Batteries? Check. We are all ready to go!
- An expression that indicates that the speaker wishes to pay the bill (e.g. in a restaurant).
Etymology 3
By shortening from chequer, from Old French eschequier (“chessboard”), from Medieval Latin scaccarium, ultimately from the same Persian root as above.
Noun
check (plural checks)
- (textiles, usually pluralized) A pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.
- The tablecloth had red and white checks.
- 1819, Charles Mowry, in the Downington Pennsylvania American Republican, quoted in Herbery Wisbey, Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend:
- One of her female followers, had made a very elegant piece of check. The Friend, being at her house, on a visit, the lady shewed the check to her, and as evidence of devotion to her leader, proposed presenting her with a pattern off the piece for her own use.
- Any fabric woven with such a pattern.
Derived terms
Translations
pattern
|
Verb
check (third-person singular simple present checks, present participle checking, simple past and past participle checked)
- (transitive) To mark with a check pattern.
Adjective
check (not comparable)
- (heraldry, rare, possibly only as a printing error) Checky, i.e. chequy.
- 1741, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia: Or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (etc.) 5. Ed:
- CHECKY, [...] Checky, according to Colombiere, is one of the most noble and ancient figures [...] Checky is always composed of metal, and colour. [...] So that if that be or, and the next gules, the house or family is said to bear check, or, and gules. When the whole shield is not chequered , but only the chief, a bend, cross, or the like, the number of ranges should be expressed.
- 1825, Robert Trotter (the Younger.), Derwentwater; Or, the Adherents of King James. A Tale of the First Rebellion. With an Appendix, Containing Genealogical Notices and Anecdotes of Several Ancient and Honourable Families, page 115:
- He died about 1270; and his son, Sir Robert, assisted the brave Sir William Wallace, and died in 1800. BOYD ARMS. Azure, a fesse check, argent et gules.
References
- Michael Quinion (2004) “Cheque”, in Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, →ISBN.
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “check”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Etymology
Pronunciation
- Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)+
- Jyutping: cek1
- Yale: chēk
- Cantonese Pinyin: tsek7
- Guangdong Romanization: cég1
- Sinological IPA (key): /t͡sʰɛːk̚⁵/
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)+
Verb
check
- (Hong Kong Cantonese) to check
- 周卿家，同朕再check下，睇下各地各省仲有冇人欠稅，朕要將啲稅項一次過追返晒返嚟。 [Cantonese, trad.]
- From: 2003, 帝女花 [Perish in the Name of Love], spoken by 崇禎帝 [Chongzhen Emperor] (Moses Chan)
- zau1 hing1 gaa1, tung4 zam6 zoi3 cek1 haa5, tai2 haa5 gok3 dei6 gok3 saang2 zung6 jau5 mou5 jan4 him3 seoi3, zam6 jiu3 zoeng1 di1 seoi3 hong6 jat1 ci3 gwo3 zeoi1 faan1 saai3 faan1 lei4. [Jyutping]
- Minister Chow, please check this for me; see if there are still people across the country who have not paid their taxes yet. I shall recall all of these taxes at once. (The usage of this term in this scenario is considered inappropriate because it was said in a historical drama)
周卿家，同朕再check下，睇下各地各省仲有冇人欠税，朕要将啲税项一次过追返晒返嚟。 [Cantonese, simp.]
Synonyms
Noun
check
Synonyms
- 支票 (zhīpiào)
Etymology
From English cheque, check, from Old French eschek (“check (in chess)”), via Medieval Latin scaccus and Arabic شَاه (šāh) from Persian شاه (šâh, “king”) (cf. also Danish skak).
Pronunciation
Noun
check c
Declension
Declension of check
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Verb
check
- inflection of checken:
Pronunciation
Noun
check m (plural checks)
Noun
check
- Alternative form of chek
Noun
check m (plural checks)
- check (mark)
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