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.