1. (v. i.) To pause; hold back; stop; as, to check the progress of a mudslide.

2. (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.

3. (n.) Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard, restraint, or rebuff.

4. (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.

5. (n.) A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as therein stated. See Bank check, below.

6. (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.

7. (n.) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.

8. (n.) Small chick or crack.

9. (v. t.) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece, esp. his king, in check; to put in check.

10. (v. t.) To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to hinder; to repress; to curb.

11. (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.

12. (v. t.) To chide, rebuke, or reprove.

13. (v. t.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.

14. (v. t.) To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the sun checks timber.

15. (v. i.) To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.

16. (v. i.) To clash or interfere.

17. (v. i.) To act as a curb or restraint.

18. (v. i.) To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.

19. (v. i.) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.

20. (a.) Checkered; designed in checks.