Check (ch&ebreve_;k), 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.
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2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest; stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
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Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity. Addison.
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No check, no stay, this streamlet fears. Wordsworth.
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3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard, restraint, or rebuff.
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Useful check upon the administration of government. Washington.
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A man whom no check could abash. Macaulay.
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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.
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5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as therein stated. See Bank check, below.
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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.
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7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
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8. Small chick or crack.
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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.
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Check (ch&ebreve_;k), v. i. To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.
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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.
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2. To clash or interfere. [R.] Bacon.
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3. To act as a curb or restraint.
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It [his presence] checks too strong upon me. Dryden.
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4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
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5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
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And like the haggard, check at every feather
That comes before his eye. Shak.
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