GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 4 definitions
-
Check (chĕk), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. échec, a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl. échecs chess, through Ar., fr. Pers. shāh 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 pattern 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, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checked (chĕkt); 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]
-
Check (chĕk), 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]
-
Check, a. Checkered; designed in checks.
[1913 Webster]