check

n 1: a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all

his bills by check" [syn: {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}, {test}]

3: the bill in a restaurant; "he asked the waiter for the

check" [syn: {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"; "he spent the entire

stay in his room" [syn: {arrest}, {halt}, {hitch}, {stay},

{stop}, {stoppage}]

5: additional proof that something that was believed is true;

"fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary

theory" [syn: {confirmation}, {verification}, {substantiation}]

6: the act of stopping (usually stopping motion); "the heart

was in arrest"; "war caused a check in the company's

growth"; "the momentary stay enabled him to escape the

blow" [syn: {arrest}, {stay}]

7: 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}]

8: 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}]

9: a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken

off of something [syn: {crack}, {chip}]

10: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess;

"his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper" [syn:

{bridle}, {curb}]

11: obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

12: (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

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}, {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}, {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 next to; "Please check each name on

the list" [syn: {check off}, {mark}, {mark off}, {tick off}]

7: slow the growth or development of [syn: {retard}]

8: be verified or confirmed; pass inspection; "These stories

don't check!" [syn: {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" [syn: {match}, {fit}, {correspond}, {jibe}, {gibe},

{tally}, {agree}] [ant: {disagree}]

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

hockey

11: train by instruction and practice; esp. to teach

self-control; "Parents must discipline their children"

[syn: {discipline}, {train}, {condition}]

12: consign for shipment on a vehicle, as of luggage; "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, of falcons

15: stop in a chase esp. when scent is lost; "The dog checked"

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

[syn: {checker}, {chequer}]

17: decline to initiate betting, in poker

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 SE Asia"; "Contain the rebel

movement" [syn: {turn back}, {arrest}, {stop}, {contain},

{hold back}]

19: place into check in a game of chess; "He checked my kings"

20: write out a check on a bank account

21: find out or learn with certainty; "I want to see whether she

speaks French"; "See whether it works"; "Watch how he

will react" [syn: {determine}, {find out}, {see}, {ascertain},

{watch}, {learn}]

22: censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child

for entering the stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the

Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter

for bringing cold soup"; "check" is archaic [syn: {rebuke},

{rag}, {reproof}, {lecture}, {reprimand}, {jaw}, {dress

down}, {scold}, {chide}, {berate}, {bawl out}, {remonstrate},

{chew out}, {chew up}, {have words}, {lambaste}, {lambast}]

23: verify by consulting a source or authority; "check the

spelling of this word"; "check your facts"

24: arrest the motion (of something) abruptly; "He checked the

flow of water by shutting off the main valve"

25: make cracks or chinks in; "The heat checked the paint" [syn:

{chink}]

26: become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; "The

glass cracked when it was heated" [syn: {crack}, {break}]