(n.) 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.
(n.) A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
(n.) Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
guard, restraint, or rebuff.
(n.) 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.
(n.) A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
therein stated. See Bank check, below.
(n.) 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.
(n.) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other
birds.
(n.) Small chick or crack.
(v. t.) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece, esp. his
king, in check; to put in check.
(v. t.) To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to
hinder; to repress; to curb.
(v. t.) 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; as, to check an account; to check baggage.
(v. t.) To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
(v. t.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly
extended.
(v. t.) To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the
sun checks timber.
(v. i.) To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.
(v. i.) To clash or interfere.
(v. i.) To act as a curb or restraint.
(v. i.) To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in
small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
(v. i.) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after
other birds.
(a.) Checkered; designed in checks.
