What is "bank check"

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.

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, 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.

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