I. ˈchekə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English cheker, from Old French eschequier chessboard, from eschec check in the game of chess + -ier -er — more at check
1. archaic : chessboard
2. obsolete : treasury , exchequer
3. : a square, other rectangle, mark, or spot resembling checkerboard markings
an aerial view of the country showing checkers of green and brown
4.
[so called from the checkered appearance of the fruit]
: the fruit of the service tree
5.
a. : a European service tree ( Sorbus domestica )
b. : a wild service tree ( S. torminalis )
6. also checkerman
[back-formation from checkers ]
: one of a set of disks used in the game of checkers
7. checkers plural : checkerwork 3
8. slang : the fit thing : the most appropriate condition — used with the
II. transitive verb
( checkered ; checkered ; checkering -k(ə)riŋ ; checkers )
Etymology: Middle English checkeren, from cheker chessboard — more at checker
1.
a. : to variegate with different colors or shades typically with a small square or diamond pattern throughout
his face checkered by the shadow of the grating — William Faulkner
b. : to vary with differing or contrasting elements or situations (as alternating prosperity and hardship)
life's checkered scene of joy and sorrow — Sir Walter Scott
pride checkered by many painful feelings — T.B.Macaulay
2.
a. : to mark into different colored squares, diamonds, or more or less rectangular figures
farm lands that are checkered with dense tracts of timber — American Guide Series: Michigan
b. : to mark into squares irrespective of color ; especially : to lay out (land) in checks or squares before planting
c. : to intersperse in a fashion suggestive of squares on a chessboard
checker veteran units in the ranks of an inexperienced army
3. : to ornament with a pattern of diamond-shaped projections by intersecting grooves
a checkered rifle stock
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: check (III) + -er
: one that checks: as
a. : one that marks, counts, or tallies
a freight checker in a shipping house
b. : one that examines materials or products for completeness and conformity to standards, checks data or articles against records for verification, or observes and records the presence or condition of things for purposes of comparison and administration
c. : one that checks articles of personal property for the patrons of an establishment
d. : one that totals purchases and usually accepts payment (as in a supermarket) : cashier