I

• verb 1 examine the accuracy, quality, or condition of. 2 stop or slow the progress of. 3 (Chess) move a piece or pawn to a square where it directly attacks (the opposing king).

• noun 1 an examination to check accuracy, quality, or condition. 2 an act of checking progress. 3 a means of control or restraint. 4 (Chess) an act of checking the opposing king.

ORIGIN Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’, ultimately from a Persian word meaning ‘king’.

II

• noun a pattern of small squares.

• adjective (also checked) having such a pattern.

(quelle.1/quelle.2)