[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

check \check\ che^k, n. oe. chek, of. eschec, f. 'echec,
   a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl.
   'echecs chess, through ar., fr. pers. sh=ah king. see
   shah, and cf. checkmate, chess, checker.
   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.
      1913 webster

   2. a condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
      stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
      1913 webster

            which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
            of christianity.                      --addison.
      1913 webster

            no check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                  --wordsworth.
      1913 webster

   3. whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
      guard, restraint, or rebuff.
      1913 webster

            useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                  --washington.
      1913 webster

            a man whom no check could abash.      --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   5. a written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
      therein stated. see bank check, below.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   7. falconry the forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
      follow other birds.
      1913 webster

   8. small chick or crack.
      1913 webster

   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.
        1913 webster
see also:
shah checkmate chess checker bank check check book 
check hook check list check nut check valve to take check 

[2] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

check book, commerce. one kept by persons who have accounts in bank, in 
which are printed blank forms of cheeks, or orders upon the bank to pay 
money. 

Book >> B Words
Book, definition of term: Book
book_pag1.html

Book Value >> B Words
Book Value, definition of term: Book Value
book+value_pag1.html

Book Review >> B Words
Book Review, definition of term: Book Review
book+review_pag1.html

Book Bag >> B Words
Book Bag, definition of term: Book Bag
book+bag_pag1.html

Blue Book >> B Words
Blue Book, definition of term: Blue Book
blue+book_pag1.html

Black Book >> B Words
Black Book, definition of term: Black Book
black+book_pag1.html

Book Of Mormon >> B Words
Book Of Mormon, definition of term: Book Of Mormon
book+of+mormon_pag1.html