check

a. Checkered; designed in checks. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Checked 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

So many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove. [ 1913 Webster ]

The good king, his master, will check him for it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Naut.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the sun checks timber. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ PJC ]

8. To accept (something) for temporary custody from another; as, to check a customer's baggage; to check a customer's coat. [ PJC ]

9. To make a checkered pattern upon. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- To restrain; curb; bridle; repress; control; hinder; impede; obstruct; interrupt; tally; rebuke; reprove; rebuff. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a stop; to pause; -- with at. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To clash or interfere. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To act as a curb or restraint. [ 1913 Webster ]

It [ his presence ] checks too strong upon me. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

And like the haggard, check at every feather
That comes before his eye. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of checking; as, the checkage of a name or of an item in a list. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The items, or the amount, to which attention is called by a check or checks. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. Held back from some action especially by force.
Syn. -- curbed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. having a pattern of alternating dark and light squares in rows and columns.
Syn. -- checkered. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Checkered p. pr. & vb. n. Checkering. ] [ From OF. eschequier a chessboard, F. échiquier. See Check, n., and cf. 3d Checker. ] 1. To mark with small squares like a checkerboard, as by crossing stripes of different colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To variegate or diversify with different qualities, colors, scenes, or events; esp., to subject to frequent alternations of prosperity and adversity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our minds are, as it were, checkered with truth and falsehood. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Check, v. t. ] One who checks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. eschequier. See Checker, v. t. ] 1. A piece in the game of draughts or checkers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A pattern in checks; a single check. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Checkerwork. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is also written chequer. [ 1913 Webster ]