delays the progress of sth else or stops it from getting worse (S.IfiikSHtW^^j: A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects. ^ 4 checks [pi.] (formal) rules that are designed to control the amount of power, especially political power, that one person or group has ( jh W > M^ , #r 4*, — see also

CHECKS AND BALANCES

► PATTERN | | 5 [C, U] a pattern of squares, usually of two colours (

Do you prefer checks or stripes0 a check shirt/suit ® M 0 a yellow and red

check skirt |a] WAf&MX — picture o page R22

— see also checked

► MONEY n 6 [C] (US) = CHEQUE 7 [C] (NAmE) = BILL

n.(2): Can I have the check, please? if !£#?!%?

0 note at bill <v. .

► FOR COATS/BAGS $£; ft 8 [C] (NAmE) coat ~ a place in a club, restaurant, etc. where you can leave your coat or bag (

9 [C] (NAmE) a ticket that you get when you leave your coat, bag, etc. in, for example, a restaurant or theatre

► IN GAME 10 [U] (in chess IlfRtifclR) a position

in which a player’s king (= the most important piece) can be directly attacked by the other player’s pieces

There, you’re in check. M,

— see also checkmate

► MARK #-£§-11 (also 'check mark) [C] (NAmE) = tick n.(l) ITSTTJl hold/keep sth in check to keep sth under control so that it does not spread or get worse $!]; fijih — more at rain check

m exclamation used to show that you agree with sb or that sth on a list has been dealt with ft;

‘Do you have your tickets?’ ‘Check.’ ‘Passport?’ ‘Check.’

^um%m? ” “*r. ” ■*&&%?■” “Wo ”

check-book = chequebook

check-box /'tJekbDks; NAmE -ba:ks/ (BrE also tick-box) noun a small square on a computer screen that you click on with the mouse to choose whether a particular function is switched on or off ( i+Jf#IJ|J£±W ) checked /tjekt/ adj. having a pattern of squares, usually of two colours ) :

checked material # Afft HI ^ W ft14 —picture o page

R22 — see also check

check-er /'tXeka(r)/ noun — see also checkers 1 (especially US) a person who works at the checkout in a supermarket ( j@ fe ft W ) *Bc tfc ft , ift fe & 2 (in compounds f&U® fin* isl) a computer program that you use to check sth, for example the spelling and grammar of sth you have written ( if % : ft (ft ) ft g g _: a

spelling/grammar/virus checker ftft / ftilr

W.J¥ 3 a person who checks things ftft : cl

quality control checker M'Jtftrjf'Jftftit checker board /'tjekaboid; NAmE 'tjekarborrd/ noun (NAmE) = DRAUGHTBOARD checkered adj. (especially NAmE) = chequered checkers /'tjekaz; NAmE -arz/ noun [u] (NAmE) = DRAUGHT n.(4)

check-in noun 1 [C, U] the place where you go first when you arrive at an airport, to show your ticket, etc.

( ) l£ftX^AJI&t 2 [U] the act of showing your

ticket, etc. when you arrive at an airport ( ) A

: Do you know your check-in time? il A M.W H |h] ? 0 (BrE) the check-in desk ASgfll

o (NAmE) the check-in counter IX

checking account (1/5) (CanE chequing account)

noun = CURRENT ACCOUNT

checklist /'tjeklist/ noun a list of the things that you must remember to do, to take with you or to find out

(izm)im,

check-mate /,tjek'meit; 'tfekmeit/ (also mate) noun [U]

1 (in chess ® %. ft) a position in which one player

cannot prevent his or her king (= the most important piece) being captured and therefore loses the game

ft^E; $$rft — see also check n.( 10) — compare stalemate^) 2 a situation in which sb has been completely defeated M; Hfc it; $ Hfc ► check-mate (also

mate) verb: [VN] His king had been checkmated. ffeWlE ftEI£#5Eo o She hoped the plan would checkmate her opponents.

checkout /‘tjekaut/ noun 1 [C] the place where you pay for the things that you are buying in a supermarket ( li fe Hf E5 W )'• ft tfc 6 , ft Wt : a checkout

assistant/operator fttfc^SfjX/tBtfeM 2 [U] the time when you leave a hotel at the end of your stay ( ft M ill ) £n IK JF $J W la]: At checkout, your bill will be printed for you. ftf/A

checkpoint /'tjekpaint/ noun a place, especially on a border between two countries, where people have to stop so their vehicles and documents can be checked

( m

SYNONYMS mSi check

examine ♦ inspect ♦ go over sth

These words all mean to look at sth/sb closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, or acceptable.

check to look at sb/sth closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, safe or satisfactory tfft$A^!fft TO, VMUJE M, Check your work before handing it

in.

examine to look at sb/sth closely to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem If

m&, ^«suw*iBia^mfni

MPJx ft: The goods were examined for damage on arrival.

inspect to look at sb/sth closely to make sure that everything is satisfactory; to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable tfftg,

m, to,

X A % ) : Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them. Mftftfto o

The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year. rW##

Wilts.

CHECK, EXAMINE OR INSPECT? check, examine M inspect ?

All these words can be used when you are looking for possible problems, but only check is used for mistakes. ffi

check: Examine/lnspect your work

before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem.

$ examine: The doctor checked/mspected her but

could find nothing wrong. Examine is used more often about a professional person. * examine A Ex PJr ffl : The surveyor examined the walls for

signs of damp.

Inspect is used more often about an official. * inspect ffl X : Public health officials were

called in to inspect the restaurant.

nmrmmm ts.

go over sth to check sth carefully for mistakes, damage or anything dangerous If ■ff ta : Go over your work for spelling

mistakes before you hand it in. # ik m —T

PATTERNS AND COILOCATIONS

► to check/examine/inspect/go over (sth) for sth

► to check/examine/inspect/go over sth to see if/ whether ...

to check/examine/inspect/go over sth carefully/ thoroughly