Che*bac"co (?), n. [From Chebacco, the former name of Essex, a town in Massachusetts where such vessels were built.] (Naut.) A narrow-sterned boat formerly much used in the Newfoundland fisheries; -- called also pinkstern and chebec. Bartlett.
Che"bec (?), n. (Naut.) See Chebacco.
Che*bec" (?), n. [Named from its note.] (Zo÷l.) A small American bird (Empidonax minimus); the least flycatcher.
Check (?), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. Úchec, a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl. Úchecs chess, through AR., fr. Pers. shāh 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.
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.