Meanings
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1
noun
a flat round piece used in checkers, draughts, backgammon, and some other board games
His last checker was trapped in the corner of the board.
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2
noun
a person, device, or program that checks correctness, safety, or compliance
The spelling checker flagged the unfamiliar surname as a possible error.
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3
noun
US: a cashier who totals purchases and receives payment at a checkout
The checker scanned the groceries and packed them into two bags.
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4
verb
to mark or variegate with alternating squares, colors, or patches
Sunlight and shadow checker the forest floor beneath the leaves.
Thesaurus
Etymology
The game-piece and patterned senses descend from Middle English cheker, 'chessboard,' an aphetic form of Anglo-Norman escheker; they belong to the same chess-derived family as check. The verifier and cashier senses are later transparent formations from the verb check + -er, 'one or something that checks.'