Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Check \Check\, n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. ['e]chec, a stop,
   hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl. ['e]checs
   chess, through AR., fr. Pers. sh[=a]h 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.

   7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
      follow other birds.

   8. Small chick or crack.

   {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
      to prevent the return of the feed water.

   {To take check}, to take offense. [Obs.] --Dryden.

   Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
        reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
        tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.

Source : WordNet®

bank check
     n : a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
         his bills by check" [syn: {check}, {cheque}]