Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

chequer

British  
/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

  1. any of the marbles, pegs, or other pieces used in the game of Chinese chequers

    1. a pattern consisting of squares of different colours, textures, or materials

    2. one of the squares in such a pattern

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make irregular in colour or character; variegate

  2. to mark off with alternating squares of colour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of chequer

C13: chessboard, from Anglo-French escheker, from eschec check

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Richard Austen Butler, 48> able intellectual and pamphleteer of the party -Chancellor of the Ex chequer.

From Time Magazine Archive

The king wore a gown of purple satin and gold in chequer, and a jewelled collar; his cap of purple velvet had two jewelled rosettes, and his doublet was of gold brocade.

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter

These are strung on gold wire in a chequer pattern, each square divided diagonally in halves of different colours.

From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)

I remember a foolish fleeting wonder that the light chequer of shadow should pattern his clear and self-possessed face exactly as it did our own—and he the lusus natur� he was!

From The Tower of Oblivion by Onions, Oliver [pseud.]

For the low land looks like a chequer board, crossed and recrossed by narrow streams that widen into two big lakes—a favorite haunt for wild fowl.

From The Man with the Double Heart by Hine, Muriel

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "chequer" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com