check (n.)

  1. a written order directing a bank to pay money; he paid all his bills by check

    [ Syn: bank check , cheque ]

  2. a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard); she wore a skirt with checks'

  3. the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess; his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper

    [ Syn: bridle , curb ]

  4. obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

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

  6. an appraisal of the state of affairs; they made an assay of the contents; a check on its dependability under stress

    [ Syn: assay ]

  7. the bill in a restaurant; he asked the waiter for the check

    [ Syn: chit , tab ]

  8. 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 , halt , hitch , stay , stop , stoppage ]

  9. 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 , substantiation ]

  10. the act of inspecting or verifying; they made a check of their equipment; the pilot ran through the check-out procedure

    [ Syn: checkout , check-out procedure ]

  11. a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.; as he called the role he put a check mark by each students name

    [ Syn: check mark , tick ]

  12. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

    [ Syn: hindrance , hinderance , deterrent , impediment , balk , baulk , handicap ]

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

    [ Syn: chip ]

    check (v.)

  1. examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition; check the brakes; Check out the engine

    [ Syn: check up on , look into , check out , suss out , check over , go over , check into ]

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

  3. develop (childrens) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control; Parents must discipline their children; Is this dog trained?

    [ Syn: discipline , train , condition ]

  4. consign for shipment on a vehicle; check your luggage before boarding'

  5. hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping; Check your coat at the door'

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

  7. stop in a chase especially when scent is lost; The dog checked'

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

    [ Syn: checker , chequer ]

  9. decline to initiate betting

  10. 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: turn back , arrest , stop , contain , hold back ]

  11. place into check; He checked my kings'

  12. make an examination or investigation; check into the rumor; check the time of the class'

  13. write out a check on a bank account

  14. 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 , find out , see , ascertain , watch , learn ]

  15. verify by consulting a source or authority; check the spelling of this word; check your facts'

  16. arrest the motion (of something) abruptly; He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve'

  17. make cracks or chinks in; The heat checked the paint

    [ Syn: chink ]

  18. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; The glass cracked when it was heated

    [ Syn: crack , break ]

  19. 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 , insure , see to it , ensure , control , ascertain , assure ]

  20. 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 , curb , moderate ]

  21. stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution; She checked for an instant and missed a step'

  22. 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 off , mark , mark off , tick off , tick ]

  23. slow the growth or development of; The brain damage will retard the childs language development

    [ Syn: retard , delay ]

  24. be verified or confirmed; pass inspection; These stories dont check!

    [ Syn: check out ]

  25. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics; The two stories dont agree in many details; The handwriting checks with the signature on the check; The suspects fingerprints dont match those on the gun

    [ Syn: match , fit , correspond , jibe , gibe , tally , agree ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.