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

All of which is deeply ironic, considering Miami’s famously checkered history of slipping cash to players.

From The Wall Street Journal

I fluffed up my weary checkered skirt, then leaned against the building for a while and watched life pass me by.

From Literature

Theme parks have long had a checkered reputation when it comes to dining.

From Los Angeles Times

It said it would also echo Musk's changes at X with a "community notes" tool for users to label misleading posts, after making cuts to moderation and fact checkers.

From BBC

Although she wanted to keep her kitchen neutral, she added a pop of color with red-and-white checkered floors and a blue oven.

From MarketWatch

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