What is meant by "checks and balances" in american government? in what specific ways does this affect the ways the branches of government work with one another? what does this mean to the american system?

Sir thomas more, venerated in the catholic church as saint thomas more, was an english lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted renaissance humanist. he was also a councillor to henry viii, and lord high chancellor of england from october 1529 to 16 may 1532. i found this information on wikipedia