to look at something carefully in order to find out if it is correct, safe, or in the right condition
Always check the date on milk before you drink it.
The mechanic will check your brakes to make sure they work.
✦ From Middle English chek, from Old French eschec, from Persian through Arabic, originally referring to a threat to the king in chess, later extended to various meanings involving examination or stopping.
an act of examining or looking at something to make sure it is correct, safe, or in good condition
Give the machine a quick check before you start it.
The doctor ordered a blood check for iron levels.
✦ Same origin as the verb sense, evolving from the idea of stopping to look or test.
a printed form that you sign to tell a bank to pay a stated amount of money from your account to someone
Maria wrote a check for the rent.
Please make the check payable to Green Valley School.
✦ Adopted in American English in the 19th century as a simplified spelling of British “cheque”.
a pattern of small or large squares, often found on cloth
He wore a shirt with a red and black check.
The picnic blanket’s blue check brightened the grass.
✦ Transferred from the idea of a chessboard’s squares to fabric designs in the 18th century.
a situation in chess where a king is directly attacked and must be protected
Her careless move put her king in check.
If you are in check, you must move out of danger on your next turn.
✦ Original medieval sense from Old French ‘eschec’, meaning a threat to the king in the game of chess.
