n. & v.
n. 1 (also as int.) Chess a check from which a king cannot escape. b an announcement of this. 2 a final defeat or deadlock.
v.tr. 1 Chess put into checkmate. 2 defeat; frustrate.
[ ME f. OF eschec mat f. Pers. sah mat the king is dead ]
n. & v.
n. 1 (also as int.) Chess a check from which a king cannot escape. b an announcement of this. 2 a final defeat or deadlock.
v.tr. 1 Chess put into checkmate. 2 defeat; frustrate.
[ ME f. OF eschec mat f. Pers. sah mat the king is dead ]
Concise Oxford English dictionary. Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2012