From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. ['e]chec,
a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl.
['e]checs chess, through Ar., fr. Pers. sh[=a]h king. See
Shah, and cf. Checkmate, Chess, Checker.]
1. (Chess) A word of warning denoting that the king is in
danger; such a menace of a player's king by an adversary's
move as would, if it were any other piece, expose it to
immediate capture. A king so menaced is said to be in
check, and must be made safe at the next move.
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2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
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Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
of Christianity. --Addison.
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No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
--Wordsworth.
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3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
guard, restraint, or rebuff.
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Useful check upon the administration of government.
--Washington.
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A man whom no check could abash. --Macaulay.
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4. A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be
prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as,
checks placed against items in an account; a check given
for baggage; a return check on a railroad.
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5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
therein stated. See Bank check, below.
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6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten
of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design;
also, cloth having such a figure.
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7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
follow other birds.
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8. Small chick or crack.
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Bank check, a written order on a banker or broker to pay
money in his keeping belonging to the signer.
Check book, a book containing blank forms for checks upon a
bank.
Check hook, a hook on the saddle of a harness, over which a
checkrein is looped.
Check list, a list or catalogue by which things may be
verified, or on which they may be checked.
Check nut (Mech.), a secondary nut, screwing down upon the
primary nut to secure it. --Knight.
Check valve (Mech.), a valve in the feed pipe of a boiler,
or other conduit, to prevent the return of the feed water
or other fluid.
To take check, to take offense. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Check \Check\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checked (ch[e^]kt); p. pr.
& vb. n. checking.]
1. (Chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece,
esp. his king, in check; to put in check.
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2. To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to
hinder; to repress; to curb. Hence, (Ice Hockey) To
obstruct the motion of an opposing player by contacting
him with one's body.
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So many clogs to check and retard the headlong
course of violence and oppression. --Burke.
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3. To verify, to guard, to make secure, by means of a mark,
token, or other check; to distinguish by a check; to put a
mark against (an item) after comparing with an original or
a counterpart in order to secure accuracy. Hence, To
compare with an original or with some standard, to insure
correctness; as, to check an account; to check with a
supervisor about procedures.
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4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
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The good king, his master, will check him for it.
--Shak.
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5. (Naut.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too
stiffly extended.
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6. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the
sun checks timber.
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7. To leave (something) in the temporary custody of another;
as, to check baggage; to check one's firearms at the door;
to check one's coat at the cloakroom.
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8. To accept (something) for temporary custody from another;
as, to check a customer's baggage; to check a customer's
coat.
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9. To make a checkered pattern upon.
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Syn: To restrain; curb; bridle; repress; control; hinder;
impede; obstruct; interrupt; tally; rebuke; reprove;
rebuff.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), v. i.
To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.
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The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power,
either is disabled for the future, or else checks at
any vigorous undertaking ever after. --Locke.
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2. To clash or interfere. [R.] --Bacon.
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3. To act as a curb or restraint.
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It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.
--Dryden.
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4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in
small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
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5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and
fly after other birds.
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And like the haggard, check at every feather
That comes before his eye. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Check \Check\, a.
Checkered; designed in checks.
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