checker

¹ American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

British, chequer

noun

1. a small, usually red or black disk of plastic or wood, used in playing checkers.

2. checkers,

   1. British, draughts.  (used with a singular verb) a game played by two persons, each with 12 playing pieces, on a checkerboard.

   2. (in a regenerative furnace) loosely stacked brickwork through which furnace gases and incoming air are passed in turn, so that the heat of the exhaust is absorbed and later transferred to the incoming air.

3. a checkered pattern.

4. one of the squares of a checkered pattern.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark like a checkerboard.

2. to diversify in color; variegate.

3. to diversify in character; subject to alternations.

   Sorrow and joy have checkered his life.

checker ² American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that checks.

2. a cashier, as in a supermarket or cafeteria.

3. a person who checks coats, baggage, etc.

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checker ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of chequer

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noun

1. textiles a variant spelling of chequer

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): draughtsman.  any one of the 12 flat thick discs used by each player in the game of checkers

checker ² British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. a cashier, esp in a supermarket

2. an attendant in a cloakroom, left-luggage office, etc

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Etymology

Origin of checker¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English check(i)er, chequer, chekker “chessboard, checkerboard,” from Old French eschequier, eschaquier (by shortening), equivalent to eschec + -er; check ¹, -er ²

Origin of checker²

First recorded in 1525–35; check ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Scott’s group ranked the Tulsa Zoo among the 10 worst zoos for elephants last year, claiming it suffers from overcrowding and a breeding program with a checkered history.

From Los Angeles Times

He scowls, looks at me like I just suggested we play checkers instead of Scrabble.

From Literature

The most sophisticated program, the link checker, was harder to build.

From BBC

Christoffels was resplendent in a new black suit, new checkered vest, a snowy white shirt, flowered tie, and stiff starched collar.

From Literature

A series on BritBox blends the police thriller with complex family drama in following a magistrate with a checkered past.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• auditor
• controller
• detective
• investigator
• monitor
• police officer