Definition of check

• 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.