The word "checks" is spelled with a "ck" at the end because the "k" follows a short vowel sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /tʃɛks/. The "ch" sound is represented by the "tʃ" symbol and the "e" sound is represented by "ɛ". The "ks" at the end is represented by "ks". This spelling rule applies to many other words in English, such as "decks", "packs", and "wrecks".
Checks refer to a process or action of verifying or inspecting the accuracy, validity, or completeness of something. This term can have various applications across different contexts.
In finance, checks commonly refer to written orders from an account holder to a bank, instructing it to pay a specified amount of money to a particular person or organization. This traditional method of payment involves the account holder signing a physical document, typically issued by their bank, that contains the necessary details. Checks are then utilized to make payments, transfer funds, or withdraw cash.
In a broader sense, checks can also represent control mechanisms used to ensure compliance with established rules, standards, or regulations. These may involve periodic reviews, assessments, or audits aiming to evaluate and ensure adherence to specific criteria. For example, in an educational context, teachers may conduct checks to monitor students' progress or evaluate their understanding of a particular subject.
Furthermore, the term "checks" encompasses the process of examining or verifying data, records, or information for accuracy and consistency. This can involve comparing values, reviewing documents, or conducting inspections to confirm the correctness of a given result, calculation, or statement.
In summary, checks entail the act of verifying, inspecting, or examining something, whether it be financial transactions, adherence to regulations, or the accuracy of data. The objective is to ensure accountability, compliance, and accuracy in various domains and to identify any discrepancies or errors that may be present.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "checks" in its noun form has two primary etymological origins.
1. Bank Checks: The term "checks" in relation to financial documents, such as bank checks, can be traced back to the Middle English word "cheque", which emerged in the 14th century. "Cheque" was derived from the Old French word "eschequier", which referred to the chessboard pattern used in financial transactions. This pattern resembled the layout of a chessboard known as "échiquier" in Old French. Over time, "cheque" was anglicized to "check" in American English, while it is still spelled as "cheque" in British English.
2. Verification or Monitoring: Another usage of the word "checks" is to refer to acts of verification, monitoring, or controls.