The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
      stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
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            Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
            of Christianity.                      --Addison.
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            No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
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   3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
      guard, restraint, or rebuff.
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            Useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                  --Washington.
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            A man whom no check could abash.      --Macaulay.
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   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.
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   5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
      therein stated. See Bank check, below.
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   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.
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   7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
      follow other birds.
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   8. Small chick or crack.
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   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,
      or other conduit, to prevent the return of the feed water
      or other fluid.

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

   Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
        reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
        tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

bank check
    n 1: a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
         his bills by check" [syn: check, bank check, cheque]