security checkn.
/sᵻˈkjʊərᵻtɪ tʃɛk/, /sᵻˈkjɔːrᵻtɪ tʃɛk/, U.S. /səˈkjʊrədi ˌtʃɛk/ Originally U.S. Military.
1.
a. A verification of the identity of someone in order to maintain security, or to establish his or her trustworthiness, reliability, suitability for employment, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] > check of identity, reliability, or loyalty
security check1945
namecheck1948
1945 N.Y. Times 11 Apr. 14/5 The G–2 branch of the Army carries out a security check to make sure no spies, Gestapo members or war criminals are leaving the Reich disguised as displaced persons.
1945 Daily Express 4 June 1/1 A security check on their identity cards and permits on the Ulster-Eire border showed that they were apparently in order.
1955 Bull. Atomic Scientists Apr. 137/1 That a person be subjected to a security check before he is employed in a sensitive position by the Department of State is an obvious necessity.
1972 Billboard 6 May 20 The security check [at the BBC] is to see with whom the visitor has an appointment.
2000 Australian (Nexis) 26 Sept. (Sports section) 20 The NSW police ran security checks on every person who volunteered [at the Olympics]..as well as every staff member and contractor.
b. A search of a person and his or her baggage, esp. at an airport, to check for concealed weapons or explosives. Also: the place where this (and often a passport or other identity check) takes place.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun] > action of investigating
vesteyinga1425
exquisitionc1430
investigationa1450
inspect1490
exploration1544
prosecution1564
indagation1583
investigating1598
searchant1635
explorement1646
eyeballing1959
security check1970
1970 Billboard 3 Oct. 50 [They] arrived in Bermuda for two performances and their luggage was still at New York's Kennedy Airport for a security check.
1989 Texas Monthly Nov. 118 The news and gift shop just past the security check at Terminal 1... has the largest number of racy magazines and books.
1997 D. Cavanagh in S. Champion Disco Biscuits 209 We got through the security check without any hassle, but I must admit that they were eyeballing Clement something rotten.
2002 Village Voice (N.Y.) 1 Jan. 52/2 Muslim names prompt airport security checks—getting ‘wanded’ is a part of the customer service experience for certain travelers.
2. A word or phrase incorporated in a communication from a spy as a confirmation of identity or an indication that he or she is not operating under duress.
ΚΠ
1961 R. Seth Anat. Spying vi. 98 The operator is instructed to insert in all his messages what is known as a Security-check.
1966 D. Kahn Codebreakers ix. 535 He told the Germans that his security check consisted of changing the word stop once in every message intostep or stip.
1978 R. Ludlum Holcroft Covenant xxxii. 374 Security check requested.
1995 J. T. Richelson Cent. Spies (1997) ix. 148 He was certain that SOE would spot the omission of his security check. SOE noted the omission but concluded he was not under duress.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1945