checker

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

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.; pl. Checkerberries (Bot.) A spicy plant and its bright red berry; the wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). Also incorrectly applied to the partridge berry (Mitchella repens). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a perennial purple-flowered wild mallow of West North America (Sidalcea malviflora) that is also cultivated.
Syn. -- wild hollyhock, Sidalcea malviflora. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A board with sixty-four squares of alternate color, used for playing checkers, chess, or draughts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Marked with alternate squares or checks of different color or material. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dancing in the checkered shade. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Diversified or variegated in a marked manner, as in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.; as, a character with a checkered past [ 1913 Webster ]

This checkered narrative. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ See Checher, v. ] A game, called also draughts, played on a checkerboard by two persons, each having twelve men (counters or checkers) which are moved diagonally. The game is ended when either of the players has lost all his men, or can not move them. [ 1913 Webster ]