 |
Sense: 1-4, 6-10
| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | eschec 'check in chess', from Arabic shah, from Persian, 'king' |
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Origin: | checker 'chessboard, pattern of squares' (14-21 centuries), from Old French eschequier, from eschec |
Related topics:1 the process of finding out if something is safe, correct, true, or in the condition it should be
finding out
[countable] health/medical/dental etc check (=a test done to make sure you are healthy)
spot check (=a quick check of one thing among a group of things, that you do without warning) 
a spot check on the accounts
a spot check on the accounts2 keep someone or something under control : You must learn to keep your emotions in check. attempts to keep global warming in check He made an effort to hold himself in check.
keep/hold somebody/something in check
You must learn to keep your emotions in check.attempts to keep global warming in checkHe made an effort to hold himself in check.3 something that controls something else and stops it from getting worse, continuing to happen etc
a control on something
[countable usually singular] check on Higher interest rates will act as a check on public spending.
Higher interest rates will act as a check on public spending.4 a system that makes it possible for some people or parts of an organization to control the others, so that no particular person or part has too much power or influence
checks and balances
5 a pattern of squares, especially on cloth : a shirt with brown and black checks ➔ checked
pattern
[uncountable and countable]CFa shirt with brown and black checks6 the American spelling of cheque
from your bank
[countable]7 a list that you are given in a restaurant showing what you have eaten and how much you must pay [= bill British English]
in a restaurant
[countable] American English8
coat check/hat check
American English [countable]a) DFDL a place in a restaurant, theatre etc where you can leave your coat, bag etc to be guarded
b) DCDL a ticket that you are given so you can claim your things from this place
9 a mark that you put next to an answer to show that it is correct or next to something on a list to show that you have dealt with it [= tick British English]
mark
[countable] American English10 the position of the king (=most important piece) in chess where it can be directly attacked by the opponent's pieces
