Definition of the word check over

The phrase "check over" is a common expression used to describe the act of reviewing or examining something thoroughly in order to ensure accuracy or completeness. The word "check" derives from the Old English ceccan, which means "to mark" or "to engrave". In the Middle English period (1100-1400), this word developed the meaning of "to examine" or "to verify". The preposition "over" comes from the Old English obra, which signifies "over" or "across". In Old English, over was primarily used as a spatial preposition, to indicate movement or location from one side to the other. However, over has also been used figuratively to convey the sense of completeness or comprehensiveness, as in "check over" or "cover over". The expression "check over" is a fairly recent addition to the English language, with the first recorded use appearing in the 1940s. Its recognition as a standard term grew during the post-World War II era, as it became a common phrase used in accounting and finance to describe the process of reviewing financial transactions to ensure they are accurate and complete. Today, "check over" is widely used in various contexts such as checking emails, reviewing documents, or analyzing scientific data. It is simply a way of expressing the act of conducting a thorough and systematic review.