Etymology: Middle English chek, from Anglo-French eschec, from Arabic shāh, from Persian, literally, king; akin to Greek ktasthai to acquire, Sanskrit kṣatra dominion
Date: 15th century
1: exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety 2 a: a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress :arrestb: a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey) 3: a sudden pause or break in a progression 4archaic:reprimand, rebuke 5: one that arrests, limits, or restrains :restraint<against all checks, rebukes, and manners, I must advance — Shakespeare> 6 a: a standard for testing and evaluation :criterionb:examination<a quick check of the engine>c:inspection, investigation<a loyalty check on government employees>d: the act of testing or verifying; also: the sample or unit used for testing or verifying 7: a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed :draft 8 a: a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made <a baggage check>b: a counter in various games c: a slip indicating the amount due :bill 9[Middle English chek, short for cheker checker]a: a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard b: a fabric woven or printed with such a design 10: a mark typically √ placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified 11:crack, break
— check·less\ˈche-kləs\adjective
— in check: under restraint or control <trying to keep his emotions in check>
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