catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
        stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
              of Christianity.                      --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                    --Wordsworth.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
        guard, restraint, or rebuff.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                    --Washington.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A man whom no check could abash.      --Macaulay.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
        therein stated. See Bank check, below.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
        follow other birds.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     8. Small chick or crack.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
          [1913 Webster]

  Check \Check\, 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.
  
     2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
        stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
  
              Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
              of Christianity.                      --Addison.
  
              No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                    --Wordsworth.
  
     3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
        guard, restraint, or rebuff.
  
              Useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                    --Washington.
  
              A man whom no check could abash.      --Macaulay.
  
     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.
  
     5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
        therein stated. See Bank check, below.
  
     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.
  
     7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
        follow other birds.
  
     8. Small chick or crack.
  
     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
        to prevent the return of the feed water.
  
     To take check, to take offense. [Obs.] --Dryden.
  
     Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
          reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
          tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.