Check n.
 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.
 2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest; stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
    Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity.   --Addison.
    No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.   --Wordsworth.
 3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard, restraint, or rebuff.
    Useful check upon the administration of government.   --Washington.
    A man whom no check could abash.   --Macaulay.
 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.
 5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as therein stated. See Bank check, below.
 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.
 7. Falconry The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
 8. Small chick or crack.
 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.


 bank check
      n : a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
          his bills by check" [syn: check, cheque]