The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. ['e]chec,
   a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl.
   ['e]checs chess, through Ar., fr. Pers. sh[=a]h king. See
   Shah, and cf. Checkmate, Chess, Checker.]
   1. (Chess) A word of warning denoting that the king is in
      danger; such a menace of a player's king by an adversary's
      move as would, if it were any other piece, expose it to
      immediate capture. A king so menaced is said to be in
      check, and must be made safe at the next move.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
      stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
      [1913 Webster]

            Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
            of Christianity.                      --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

            No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
      guard, restraint, or rebuff.
      [1913 Webster]

            Useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                  --Washington.
      [1913 Webster]

            A man whom no check could abash.      --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be
      prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as,
      checks placed against items in an account; a check given
      for baggage; a return check on a railroad.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
      therein stated. See Bank check, below.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten
      of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design;
      also, cloth having such a figure.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
      follow other birds.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. Small chick or crack.
      [1913 Webster]

   Bank check, a written order on a banker or broker to pay
      money in his keeping belonging to the signer.

   Check book, a book containing blank forms for checks upon a
      bank.

   Check hook, a hook on the saddle of a harness, over which a
      checkrein is looped.

   Check list, a list or catalogue by which things may be
      verified, or on which they may be checked.

   Check nut (Mech.), a secondary nut, screwing down upon the
      primary nut to secure it. --Knight.

   Check valve (Mech.), a valve in the feed pipe of a boiler,
      or other conduit, to prevent the return of the feed water
      or other fluid.

   To take check, to take offense. [Obs.] --Dryden.

   Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
        reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
        tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Check \Check\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checked (ch[e^]kt); p. pr.
   & vb. n. checking.]
   1. (Chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece,
      esp. his king, in check; to put in check.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to
      hinder; to repress; to curb. Hence, (Ice Hockey) To
      obstruct the motion of an opposing player by contacting
      him with one's body.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

            So many clogs to check and retard the headlong
            course of violence and oppression.    --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To verify, to guard, to make secure, by means of a mark,
      token, or other check; to distinguish by a check; to put a
      mark against (an item) after comparing with an original or
      a counterpart in order to secure accuracy. Hence, To
      compare with an original or with some standard, to insure
      correctness; as, to check an account; to check with a
      supervisor about procedures.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
      [1913 Webster]

            The good king, his master, will check him for it.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Naut.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too
      stiffly extended.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the
      sun checks timber.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. To leave (something) in the temporary custody of another;
      as, to check baggage; to check one's firearms at the door;
      to check one's coat at the cloakroom.
      [PJC]

   8. To accept (something) for temporary custody from another;
      as, to check a customer's baggage; to check a customer's
      coat.
      [PJC]

   9. To make a checkered pattern upon.
      [PJC]

   Syn: To restrain; curb; bridle; repress; control; hinder;
        impede; obstruct; interrupt; tally; rebuke; reprove;
        rebuff.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), v. i.
   To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.
   [1913 Webster]

         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.     --Locke.
   [1913 Webster]

   2. To clash or interfere. [R.] --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To act as a curb or restraint.
      [1913 Webster]

            It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in
      small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and
      fly after other birds.
      [1913 Webster]

            And like the haggard, check at every feather
            That comes before his eye.            --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Check \Check\, a.
   Checkered; designed in checks.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

check
    n 1: a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
         his bills by check" [syn: check, 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, check]
    3: the bill in a restaurant; "he asked the waiter for the check"
       [syn: check, 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"; "the momentary stay enabled him
       to escape the blow"; "he spent the entire stop in his seat"
       [syn: arrest, check, halt, hitch, stay, stop,
       stoppage]
    5: 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, check, substantiation]
    6: the act of inspecting or verifying; "they made a check of
       their equipment"; "the pilot ran through the check-out
       procedure" [syn: check, checkout, check-out procedure]
    7: 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, check, tick]
    8: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or
       progress [syn: hindrance, hinderance, deterrent,
       impediment, balk, baulk, check, handicap]
    9: a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken
       off of something [syn: check, chip]
    10: a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a
        checkerboard); "she wore a skirt with checks"
    11: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess;
        "his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper" [syn:
        bridle, check, curb]
    12: obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
    13: (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,
         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, check, 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, check, 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 near or next to; "Please check each
       name on the list"; "tick off the items"; "mark off the units"
       [syn: check, check off, mark, mark off, tick off,
       tick]
    7: slow the growth or development of; "The brain damage will
       retard the child's language development" [syn: check,
       retard, delay]
    8: be verified or confirmed; pass inspection; "These stories
       don't check!" [syn: check, 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"; "The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the
       gun" [syn: match, fit, correspond, check, jibe,
       gibe, tally, agree] [ant: disaccord, disagree,
       discord]
    10: block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice
        hockey
    11: develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice;
        especially to teach self-control; "Parents must discipline
        their children"; "Is this dog trained?" [syn: discipline,
        train, check, condition]
    12: consign for shipment on a vehicle; "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
    15: stop in a chase especially when scent is lost; "The dog
        checked"
    16: mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
        [syn: check, checker, chequer]
    17: decline to initiate betting
    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 South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel
        movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism" [syn: check,
        turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back]
    19: place into check; "He checked my kings"
    20: write out a check on a bank account
    21: 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, check, find out, see, ascertain,
        watch, learn]
    22: verify by consulting a source or authority; "check the
        spelling of this word"; "check your facts"
    23: arrest the motion (of something) abruptly; "He checked the
        flow of water by shutting off the main valve"
    24: make cracks or chinks in; "The heat checked the paint" [syn:
        check, chink]
    25: become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; "The
        glass cracked when it was heated" [syn: crack, check,
        break]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

973 Moby Thesaurus words for "check":
   CD, IOU, MO, X, a reckoning of, abrade, abrasion, abysm, abyss,
   acceptance, acceptance bill, accord, account, account of, agree,
   allophone, alveolar, answer to, aperture, apico-alveolar,
   apico-dental, arrest, arrestation, arrestment, arrive, arroyo,
   articulation, ascertainment, aspiration, assent, assimilation,
   assort with, assurance, audit, authenticate, authentication,
   autopsy, backpedal, backset, backwater, baffle, bafflement,
   baggage check, balance, balance the books, balk, balking, band,
   bank acceptance, bank check, bar, bark, barometer, be consistent,
   be of one, be uniform with, bearing rein, beat off, bell,
   bespangle, bespeckle, bespot, bilabial, bill, bill of account,
   bill of draft, bill of exchange, bill of lading, billhead,
   birthmark, bit, blackhead, blank check, blaze, blaze a trail, bleb,
   blemish, blister, block, blockage, blocking, bloody, blotch,
   book stamp, bookplate, bottle up, box canyon, box up, brake, brand,
   breach, break, bridle, bring to, bring up short, broaching,
   broad arrow, bulla, burn, burst, bust, cachet, cacuminal, cage,
   caging, canon, canvass, canyon, caste mark, cavity, cease,
   cerebral, certificate, certificate of deposit, certification,
   certified check, cessation, chafe, chain, chalk, chalk up, chap,
   charges, chasm, check, check and doublecheck, check in, check of,
   check off, check out, check over, check up on, checkbook, checker,
   checkerboard, checkerwork, checking, checkmark, checkmate,
   checkrein, checkup, cheque, chessboard, chime, chimney, chink,
   chip, chit, chock, cicatrix, cicatrize, circumvent, claw, clearing,
   cleave, cleft, cleuch, clip the wings, clog, clogging, cloister,
   closing up, closure, clough, cohere, coincide, col, collate,
   collation, colophon, colors in patches, comedo, comedown,
   commercial paper, comparative scrutiny, compare, concur,
   concussion, confine, confinement, confirm, confirmation, conform,
   conform with, confounding, confusion, consist with, consonant,
   constrain, constraint, constriction, contain, continuant, control,
   cool, cool off, cooling, cooling down, cooling off, coop, coop in,
   coop up, cooperate, cork up, correspond, corroborate,
   corroboration, coulee, couloir, count of, counter, countercheck,
   counterfoil, countermark, coupon, crack, crackle, cramp, cranny,
   crater, craze, crazy-work, crevasse, crevice, crib, criterion,
   croak, cross-check, curb, curb bit, curtail, curtailment, cut,
   cut apart, cut short, cutoff, cwm, dam, dam up, damage, damp,
   dampen, damper, dapple, dash, dead stop, deadlock, debenture,
   decelerate, deceleration, deface, defacement, defeat, defect,
   defile, define, deform, deformation, deformity, degree, delay,
   delimit, dell, demand bill, demand draft, demarcate, demonstrate,
   dental, depart, descent, desist, detain, detainment, detention,
   determination, determine, dike, diphthong, disclosure, discolor,
   discoloration, discomfiture, disconcertion, discontinuance,
   discontinuation, discontinue, discontinuity, discover,
   disfiguration, disfigure, disfigurement, dissimilation, distort,
   distortion, ditch, docket, dompt, donga, doorstop, dot,
   double-check, dovetail, down, draft, drag, drag sail, draw,
   draw rein, drift anchor, drift sail, drive back, drogue, due bill,
   dun, earmark, ease off, ease up, ease-off, ease-up, encage,
   enclose, end, endgame, ending, engrave, engraving, enjoin,
   ensuring, epenthetic vowel, establishment, examination, examine,
   excavation, exchequer bill, exfoliate, explore, explosive,
   fall in together, fault, fence in, fend, fend off, fenestra,
   fetter, final whistle, find out, fissure, fistula, fit,
   fit together, fixation, flagging, flake, flash burn, flaw, fleck,
   flick, flume, foil, foiling, fontanel, foot-dragging, foramen,
   fracture, fray, frazzle, freckle, freeze, fret, frustrate,
   frustration, full stop, furrow, gall, gap, gape, gash, gat, gauge,
   give an examination, glide, glottal, glottalization, go, go over,
   go together, go with, gorge, govern, government mark,
   government stamp, graduated scale, graving, grinding halt, groove,
   guard, gulch, gulf, gully, gun, guttural, hack, hallmark, halt,
   hamper, hampering, hang together, harlequin, harmonize, hat check,
   hatch, hem in, hemangioma, hesitation, hiatus, hickey, hinder,
   hindering, hindrance, hit, hold, hold at bay, hold back, hold down,
   hold fast, hold in, hold in check, hold in custody, hold in leash,
   hold in restraint, hold off, hold together, hold up, holdback,
   holdup, hole, hollow, hurt, immure, impede, impediment, impound,
   impoundment, impress, imprint, incise, incision, inhibit,
   inhibition, injunction, injure, injury, inlet, inspect, inspection,
   intercept, interdict, interfere, interference, interlock,
   intermeddle, interrupt, interruption, intersect, interval,
   intervene, inventory, investigate, invoice, iris, itemized bill,
   jibe, joint, jot, keep, keep at bay, keep back, keep from, keep in,
   keep in check, keep in custody, keep in detention, keep off,
   keep under control, keloid, kick the bucket, kink, kloof, label,
   labial, labialization, labiodental, labiovelar, lacerate,
   laceration, lacuna, lag, laryngeal, lateral, lay under restraint,
   laying open, leak, leave, legal restraint, lentigo, lesion, let,
   let down, let up, letdown, letter of credit, letterhead, letup,
   limit, limitation, line, lingual, liquid, lock, lockout, lockup,
   logo, logotype, look at, look into, look over, lose ground,
   lose momentum, lose speed, macula, maculate, maim, make a mark,
   make late, make mincemeat of, make sure of, manifest,
   manner of articulation, mar, marble, marbleize, mark, mark off,
   mark out, marking, marquetry, martingale, masthead, match, maul,
   measure, meddle, mesh, mew, mew up, milium, minus acceleration,
   moat, model, moderate, modification, mole, money order, monitor,
   monophthong, monopoly, morphophoneme, mortal wound, mosaic, motley,
   mottle, mute, mutilate, mutilation, nasal, needle scar, negativism,
   negotiable instrument, nevus, nick, norm, notch, note,
   note of hand, nuisance value, nullah, observe, obstruct,
   obstruction, obstructionism, occlusion, occlusive, open, opening,
   opening up, oppose, opposition, orifice, outlet, overhaul, overlap,
   overlook, painstakingly match, palatal, paper, parallel, parameter,
   parasitic vowel, parquet, parquetry, parry, pass, pass muster,
   pass over, pass under review, passage, passageway, patch,
   patchwork, pattern, pause, peak, peer at, pelham, pen, pen up,
   pencil, penning, pepper, peruse, pharyngeal, pharyngealization,
   phone, phoneme, physical, physical examination, pierce, pimple,
   pit, plaid, plate, plosive, pock, pockmark, point, polka dot,
   polychrome, polychromize, pore, pore over, port-wine mark,
   port-wine stain, postal order, postmortem, pound, preclude,
   prevent, price tag, prick, print, probe, prohibit, prohibition,
   promissory note, protection, protectionism, protective tariff,
   prothetic vowel, prove, pull, pull in, pull up, punch, punctuate,
   puncture, push back, pustule, put back, put paid to, quantity,
   rail in, rainbow, rationing, ravine, reading, readout, reassurance,
   reassurement, rebuff, receipt, recheck, reckoning, reef, register,
   register with, registered trademark, rein, rein in, relax, remora,
   rend, rent, repel, report, repress, repression, repulse, research,
   resist, resistance, respond to, restrain, restraint,
   restraint of trade, restrict, restriction, retard, retardation,
   retardment, retrench, retrenchment, retroflex, reversal, reverse,
   reverse of fortune, review, riddle, rift, rime, rip, rive, rout,
   rule, run, run over, running head, running title, rupture, savage,
   scab, scald, scale, scan, scar, scarification, scarify, scissure,
   scorch, score, scotch, scrape, scratch, scratching, scrip,
   scrutinize, scrutiny, scuff, sea anchor, seal, seal up, seam,
   sebaceous cyst, second-degree burn, segmental phoneme,
   self-control, semivowel, set an examination, set back, setback,
   severe check, shackle, shut in, shut up, sight bill, sight draft,
   sigil, sign in, sign on, signet, sing in chorus, sit-down strike,
   size, size up, skin, slack off, slack up, slack-up, slacken,
   slackening, slash, slit, slot, slow, slow down, slow up, slowdown,
   slowing, slowing down, slowup, slug, snaffle, snap, snub, sonant,
   sonority, sore, sort with, space, spangle, speck, speckle,
   speech sound, splash, split, splotch, spoke, spot, spot check,
   sprain, sprinkle, square, square with, squeeze, stab, stab wound,
   stain, stalemate, stall, stamp, stand, stand together, standard,
   standoff, standstill, statement, stave off, stay, stem,
   stem the tide, stick, sticker, stigma, stigmatize, stipple, stoma,
   stop, stop cold, stop dead, stop short, stoppage, stopping, strain,
   straiten, stranglehold, strawberry mark, streak, striate,
   stricture, strike, stripe, stub, stud, study, sty, substantiate,
   substantiation, suppress, suppression, surcease, surd, survey,
   suspension, syllabic nucleus, syllabic peak, syllable, tab,
   tabs of, tag, take in sail, take stock, take stock of,
   take the measure, tally, tally of, tariff wall, tartan, tattoo,
   tattoo mark, tear, tessellate, tessellation, tesserae, test,
   third-degree burn, thought control, throttle down, throwback,
   throwing open, thwart, thwarting, tick, tick off, ticket,
   time bill, time draft, title page, tittle, token, trace, track,
   track of, trade acceptance, trade name, trademark, trademark name,
   trammel, transition sound, trauma, traumatize, treasury bill,
   trench, triphthong, triple-check, try, turn aside, twist, type,
   uncorking, underline, underscore, unstopping, upset, validate,
   validation, valley, value, variegate, variegated pattern, velar,
   verification, verify, verruca, vesicle, vocable, vocalic, vocoid,
   voice, voiced sound, voiceless sound, voicing, void, voucher,
   vowel, wadi, wale, walkout, wall in, ward off, warp, warrant, wart,
   watermark, weal, welt, wen, whitehead, withhold, work stoppage,
   wound, wounds immedicable, wrench, yardstick, yawn



The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

check
 n.

    A hardware-detected error condition, most commonly used to refer to actual
    hardware failures rather than software-induced traps. E.g., a parity check
    is the result of a hardware-detected parity error. Recorded here because
    the word often humorously extended to non-technical problems. For example,
    the term child check has been used to refer to the problems caused by a
    small child who is curious to know what happens when s/he presses all the
    cute buttons on a computer's console (of course, this particular problem
    could have been prevented with molly-guards).


Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

CHECK, contracts. A written order or request, addressed to a bank or persons
carrying on the banking business, and drawn upon them by a party having
money in their hands, requesting them to pay on presentment to a person
therein named or to bearer, a named sum of money.
     2. It is said that checks are uniformly payable to bearer Chit. on
Bills, 411; but that is not so in practice in the United States. they are
generally payable to bearer, but sometimes they are payable to order.
     3. Cheeks are negotiable instruments, as bills of exchange; though,
strictly speaking, they are due before payment has been demanded, i$n which
respect they differ from promissory notes and bills of exchange payable on a
particular day. 7 T. R. 430.
     4. The differences between a common check and a bill of exchange, are,
First, that a check may be taken after it is overdue, and still the holder
is not subject to the equities which may exist between the drawer and the
party 'from whom he receives it; in the case of bills of exchange, the
holder is subject to such equity. 3 John. Cas. 5, 9; 9 B. & Cr. 388.
Secondly, the drawer of a bill of exchange is liable only on the condition
that it be presented in due time, and, if it be dishonored, that he has had
notice; but such is not the case with a check, no delay will excuse the
drawer of it, unless he has suffered some loss or injury on that account,
and then only pro tanto. 3 Kent, Com. 104 n. 5th ed.; 8 John. Cas. 2; Story,
Prom. Notes, Sec. 492.
     5. There is a kind of check known by the name of memorandum cheeks;
these are given in general with an understanding that they are not to be
presented at the bank on which they are drawn for payment; and, as between
the parties, they have no other effect than an IOU, or common due bill; but
third persons who become the holders of them, for a valuable consideration,
without notice, have all the rights which the holders of ordinary cheeks can
lawfully claim. Story, Prom. Notes, Sec. 499.
     6. Giving a creditor a cheek on a bank does not constitute payment of a
debt. 1 Hall, 56, 78; 7 S. & R. 116; 2 Pick. 204; 4 John. 296. See 3 Rand.
481. But a tender was held good when made by a check contained in a letter,
requesting a receipt in return, which the plaintiff sent back, demanding a
larger sum, without objecting to the nature of the tender. 3 Bouv. Inst. n.
2436.
     7. A cheek delivered by a testator in his lifetime to a person as a
gift, and not presented till after his death, was considered as a part of
his will, and allowed to be proved as such. 3 Curt. Ecc. R. 650. Vide,
generally,4 John. R. 304; 7 John. R. 26; 2 Ves. jr. 111; Yelv. 4, b, note; 7
Serg. & Rawle, 116; 3 John. Cas. 5, 259; 6 Wend. R. 445; 2 N. & M. 251; 1
Blackf. R. 104; 1 Litt. R. 194; 2 Litt. R. 299; 6 Cowen, R. 484; 4 Har. & J.
276; 13 Wend. R. 133; 10 Wend. R. 304; 7 Har. & J. 381; 1 Hall, R. 78; 15
Mass. R. 74; 4 Yerg. R. 210; 9 S. & R. 125; 2 Story, R. 502; 4 Whart. R.
252.