checker 
941 
check-lock (chek'lok), . 
l.olts ' 
lated, a court of revenue,_ exchequer, F^ eehi- checkerberry (chek'er-ber'i), n. ; pi. clu-rkcr- 
lii-n-ii'K (-is,). [Also i-lict/iici-lnrri/, cnickabcrry; 
< checker (origin uncertain ; cf. checker-tree) + 
In i i 1 '/ 1 .] 1. A small creeping plant, the Mitch- 
clln rc/irnx, growing in North America. 2. The 
American wintergreen, (Janlthrriti /iniciinihi i/x. 
Our American plant r,anltheria is called in some sec- 
tions Wintergreen, in others Cfaguertorty. 
T. Hill, True order (if studies, p. 81. 
checker-board (cliek'iV-bord). . A board di- 
vidrd into sixty-four small squares, thirty-two 
of one color ami thirty-two of another, and ar- 
ranged so that no two of the same color are 
side by side, on which checkers and chess are 
played. Also called ilraiight-boanl, rhexx-liiHiril. 
checkered (ehek'erd), /;. a. [< checker 1 + -ft/-.] 
- f- f -- --.; - r 1. Marked with squares or checkers, like a - <> 
ormen 011 a board divided into sixty-four checks checker-board; exhibiting squares of different literally, 'the king is 
quier = Pr. escaquier = It. scacehivre, < ML. 
nciii-iiriiiiii, .ifaccii rin in, a chess-board, a court 
of revenue, exchequer, < sr.acci, chess : see 
check 1 , ., and cf. exchequer, a doublet of clm-l,- 
/.] If. A checker-board ; a chess-board. See 
checker-board. 
A cheker he fond hi a cheire. .sVc Tristrew, I. _'. 
Thlin (Jimiebans liym-srlt' made uith llis nwue h;nnir~ 
a Cheffifr of irolde ami Ivory half p;irtt;il. 
.!/.//, /([;. K. T. s.), ii. :m>. 
2f. The game of chess. 
Mon.v gawncs were hcgonnen the grete for to solas. 
The chekker was ehoisly there chosen the first, 
The draghtes, the <lyse. 
l>rvtfii,-i;,,n n, TI-IIII (K. E. T. *.), I. 12. 
3. pi. A game played with twenty-four pieces 
cheeky 
The use of the fitfck-list as a protection against fraud 
was voted, but was almost tenured ; iiltlioiiuh lelvi- him 
drcd voles were east, only u hiimlreil and twenty mum - 
were gtootad '.'. >'. Mn-ruim, S. Monies, II. 107. 
A lock of which the 
or Squares. Kaeh of the two players is provided nith 
twelve pieres, wliirh are placed on alternate squares on 
the first three rows on one of two opposite sides of the 
hoard. The men are moved forward diagonally to the 
right or left one square at a time, or over an opposing 
pirn- il Him- is an empty space beyond it on the same 
diagonal; iu the latter case the man thus "jumped" is 
''taken" that is, removed from the board. Twoormore 
pieces can lie taken at once if similarly exposed, with one 
intervening empty square between each pair into which 
the adversary can "jump." The object of each player is 
to capture all his opponent's men, or to hem them in so 
that they cannot move. When u player succeeds in mov 
ing a piece to the further end of the board (the erowu- 
lirad or king-row), that piece is crowned or becomes a 
" king." and has the power to move or capture diagonally 
t,;n kwitrd or forward. In I'niitlt i-tifckers there are one 
hundred squares on the board, and forty counters; the 
men can move in taking either backward or forward, and 
kings can move the whole length of the board on the diag- 
onals when no pieces intervene. Also called draughts. 
colors; hence, broken into different colors or 
into lights and shadows. 
When the merry bells ring round, 
And the jocund rebecks sound 
To many a youth, and many a maid, 
Dancing in the cheqtter'tt shade. 
Milton, I/ Allegro, 1. 96. 
2. Figuratively, variegated with different qual- 
ities, scenes, or events; crossed with good and 
bad fortune. 
A checkered day of sunshine and of showers, 
Failing to twilight and dark night at last. 
William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 42. 
The struggles of his curiously checkered early life . . . 
furnish the materials of a biography possessing all the in- 
terest of a romance. Everett, orations, ii. 2. checkmate (chek'mat), v. t.; 
checker-roll (chek'er-rol), M. [Also check-roll.'] checkmated, ppr. checkmating. 
Same as check*, 14. 
Its do not themselves fasten the door, but 
hold the bolts which do secure it. 
checkmate (chek'mat), . [< ME. chekmate, 
i-hi kiinit, < OF. i-xkiiT cl unit, cclicc ct mat, later 
cxchi'i/Hfniat, F. cc/tcc it unit I'r. isi-nc unit = 
Sp. jai/Hc i/ mate = Pg. fai/nc r unite (the con- 
junction (/ = / = c, and, being intrusive) = It. 
xrin-riiii/tittit = 1). xclllKtlcifltlt := (J. xi-llltclltlHltt = 
Dan. xchnkiiKil = S\v. xrlidckiiiiitt, < Pers. xhtih- 
nidt, checkmate, lit. the king is dcnd, < ttlmli. 
kiiij;, + nint, lie is i lead: seer/f<rA-l,M.,andmfc-. 1 
1 . In cheat, originally, an exclamatory sentence, 
litiTitHy, 'the kin^ is dead': said of the oppo- 
nent's king when he is in check, and cannot be 
released from it ; hence, the position of being 
unable to escape from a check. Since It is a prin- 
ciple of the game that the king cannot be captured, this 
brings the game to a r]u>r. n ilh the defeat of that player 
whose king is checkmated. See chemil. 
Shal noon housebonde seyn to me "chek iintt. 
Chniicer, Trollus, ii. 754. 
Therwith Fortune seyde chek here, 
And mate in the myd [joint of the chekkere. 
Chaucer, Death of Blanche, 1. 6SH. 
Hence 2. Figuratively, defeat; overthrow. 
lve they him called that gave me checkmate, 
But better mought they have behote him Hate. 
Shep. rat . Deeemhe). 
pret. and 
[< ME. chek- 
Somme semen the kynge and hus seluer telleu, 
In the chekkere and the chauncelrie chaleugynge hus dettes, 
Of wardes and of wardemotes, wayues and strayues. 
Piers Plowman (C), i. 91. 
Tribute that the swoln floods render, 
Into her chequer. 
W. Hrou-ne, Britannia's Pastorals. 
6f. A check-roll or list. 
It ys ordeyued at this present yeld, how be it euery 
eitezein of the old dicker pay at this tyme but vij. d., and 
enery eitezein of the newe cheker but xiij. d., etc. 
English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 406. 
Item, that the citezeins of the old cheker & of the newe, 
ther payment at this yelde be no precedent, etc. 
English Gads (E. E. T. S.), p. 376. 
7. One of the squares of a checkered pattern ; 
the pattern itself. 
Now in a plentious Orchard planted rare 
With vn-graft trees, in checker, round, and square. 
Sylvester, tr. of Dti Bartas's Weeks, ii., Eden. 
8. One of a number of spots giving to a surface 
a checkered appearance. 
The late afternoon light was gilding the monstrous jars 
and suspending golden checkers among the golden-fruited 
leaves. //. James, Jr., Trans. Sketches, p. 191. 
'Tis not your active wit or language, 
Xor your grave politic wisdoms, lords, shall dare 
To check-male and control my just commands. 
Ford, Ix)ver's Melancholy, Iv. 8. 
Tennyson, In Memoriam, Ixxli. 
9. pi. In arch., stones in the facings of walls check-hook (chek'huk), n. 1. A device for 
which have all their joints continued in straight arresting too rapid motion in any form of 
lines without interruption or breaking of joints, hoisting apparatus. 2. In a harness, a hook 
thus presenting the appearance of checker- on the saddle for holding the end of the check- 
work. lOf. An inn the sign-board of which rein. 
was marked with checkers, probably to an- checking (chek'ing), n. [Verbal n. of check*, 
nounce that draughts and backgammon were v . t., 5.J Lines engraved on certain portions 
played within. Several houses marked with 
signs of this kind have been exhumed in Pom- 
peii. [Commonly in the plural.] 
Story ! (lod bless you, I have none to tell, sir, 
Onjy last night a-driuking at the Chequers, 
This poor old hat and breeches, as you see, were 
Torn in a scuffle. 
maten; < checkmate, j.] 1. In chess, to put in 
check (an opponent's King), so that he cannot 
be released. See checkmate, n., 1. 2. Figura- 
tively, to defeat ; thwart ; frustrate ; baffle, 
the extreme austerity of the immature fruit.] 
A name in some parts of England of the ser- 
vice-tree, Pyrus Sorbux. 
checkerwise (chek'er-wiz), adi-. [< checker* + 
-wise.'] In the form of checkers ; of checkered check-nut (chek'nut), n. In mach., a nut used 
pattern. Also spelled chequerwise. as a stop for adjusting the length of a screw, 
I observed the bars both of iron and brass they make or to P^ent the turning of the main nut when 
chequericise to put before their windows, were of very good once properly adjusted. 
workmanship. Pococke, Description of the East, I. 39. check-rail (chek ral), n. In railroads, a con- 
checkerwork (chek'er-werk), n. Any pattern trh'ance a t the crossing from one line of rails 
of which the general effect is that of afternat- * another, or at a siding, for allowing trains 
ing squares of different colors. The word plaid is to . run on to or move into the otner line r 
generally limited to textile fabrics and what may be con- Siding. 
sidered imitations of them, as in color-printington paper ; check-rein (chek'ran), . 1. A short rein join- 
but checkerwork is somewhat more general. Thus, a pat- ing the bi t of one of a gpan of horgeg to " the 
driving-rein of the other. 2. A short rein 
fastened to the saddle of a harness to keep the 
horse's head up. See cut under harness. 
Also called check and check-line. 
check-roll (chek'rol), n. Same as check 1 , 14. 
He take a survey of the checkrnll of my servants. 
Marston, Antonio and Mellida, I., v. 1. 
.neck-rope (chek'rop), i. In gun., a strong 
rope employed to diminish the recoil of a gun 
by increasing the frictional resistances. Far- 
row, Mil. Encyc. 
er), n. An attachment 
to a corn-planter to cause the seed to 
tern of metal chains crossing one another at equal inter- 
vals would be called checkertcork or checkered pattern. 
Also used figuratively. Also spelled chequerwork. 
Nets of checker-ivork and wreaths of chain-work for the 
chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars. 
1 Ki. vU. 17. 
How strange a chequer-icork of Providence is the life of 
man ! Defoe, Robinson Crusoe. 
A chequer-work of beam and shade. 
. ., . 
o f a cun-stock enabling one to m-asn it more 
surelf 
Canning, Knife-Grinder. 
Anallagimatic checker. See anallagmaUc. Checker- 
tvpe, printing-type made to illustrate the game of check- 
ers. 
checker 1 (chek'er), v. t. [Also written chequer; 
< checker 1 , .] 1. To mark or decorate with 
squares of alternate color, like a checker-board ; 
mark with different colors. 
The gray-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning night, 
Checkering the eastern clouds with streaks of light. 
Shak., R. and J., ii. 3. 
drop at regular intervals. 
check-stop (chek'stop), . A device used in 
deep-sea dredging to prevent the breakage of 
the dredge-line in case the dredge fouls on the 
Check;key (chek'ke), . A latch-key. [Great checkStrap (chek'strap), n. 1. In a harness, a 
strap passing between the fore legs of the horse 
and connecting the collar with the belly-band, 
designed to prevent the collar from riding up 
when the horse backs. See cut under harness. 
2. In an omnibus or other vehicle, a strap to 
be pulled as a signal for stopping. 
check-String (chek'string), . A string in a 
coach or public conveyance by pulling which an 
occupant may call the attention of the driver. 
check-taker (chek'ta"ker), . An official at a 
tnd pp. checkled, 
ppr. checkling. [Var. of chacklc, or cackle. Ct. 
chuckle."] To cackle; talk noisily; scold. [Prov. 
Eng.l 
The hollow murmur of the checkless winds 
Shall groan again. 
Marston and Webster, Malcontent, iv. 5. 
check-line (chek'lin), n. Same as check-rein. 
theater, concert-hall, etc., who receives the 
checks or tickets given by the money-taker. 
qualities, scenes, or events; diversify; impart 
variety to ; give a character of both good and 
evil or happiness and unhappiness to. 
Our minds are, as it were, chequered with truth and 
falsehood. Addison, Spectator, No. 237. 
Happy the man who sees a God employ'd 
In all the good and ill that checker life ! 
Cowper, The Task, ii. 
checker- (chek'er), ii. [< check 1 , v., + -erl.] 
One who checks, in any sense of the word. 
checkling (chek'ling), n. [Verbal n. of checkle, check-valve (chek'valv), n. A valve placed 
't\ ] Cackling; noisy talking. in a receiving- or supply-pipe to prevent the 
check-list (chek'list), n. 1. An alphabetical or backward flow of a liouiil Thus the rh*rk.vaiv> 
2. Figuratively, to variegate with different check-iisMcgek^s?), J^T-An alphabetical or 
- - 
systematic list of names of persons or things, in- 
tended for purposes of reference, registration, 
comparison, or verification: as, a check-list of 
birds; the Smithsonian check-list of shells. Spe- 
cifically 2. In U. S. politics, a list of all the 
qualified voters in a town, ward, or voting pre- 
cinct, on which, in order to prevent frauds at __ -._.. 
elections, primary meetings, or caucuses, the cheeky (chek'i), a. [Also written chequy, 
names of voters may be checked or marked as chequey, formerly ctieckie; < OF. escheque, pp. of 
they vote. Also called hand-list, eschequer, check: see cheek*, V.] In her., divided 
of a steam-boiler prevents the pressure of the steam from 
forcing the water out of the boiler. 
To prevent all the water and steam in the boiler from 
escaping in case of accident to either the feed-pipe or 
pump, another valve, . . . called a check-vali-e, is placed 
between the feed-pipe and the boiler. 
'Forney, Locomotive, p. 117. 
Alarm check-valve. See alarm. 
