Hypertext Webster Gateway: "check"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

2. To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to
hinder; to repress; to curb.

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

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; as, to check an
account; to check baggage.

4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.

The good king, his master, will check him for it.
--Shak.

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

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

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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

Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
of Christianity. --Addison.

No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
--Wordsworth.

3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
guard, restraint, or rebuff.

Useful check upon the administration of government.
--Washington.

A man whom no check could abash. --Macaulay.

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.

5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
therein stated. See {Bank check}, below.

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.

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

8. Small chick or crack.

{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
to prevent the return of the feed water.

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

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

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

3. To act as a curb or restraint.

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

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

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

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Note: In modern law, proposal and acceptance are the
constituent elements into which all contracts are
resolved.

{Acceptance of a bill of exchange}, {check}, {draft}, or
{order}, is an engagement to pay it according to the terms.
This engagement is usually made by writing the word
``accepted'' across the face of the bill.

{Acceptance of goods}, under the statute of frauds, is an
intelligent acceptance by a party knowing the nature of
the transaction.

6. Meaning; acceptation. [Obs.]

{Acceptance of persons}, partiality, favoritism. See under
{Accept}.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

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