in comb. [from the stem of CHECK v.1]
Used attrib. ‘that serves to “check” or control,’ as check-block, -list, -ligament, † -thong, -ticket, -valve, -weight, -wheel, etc.; check-book, a book in which items of control are entered (but see also CHEQUE); check-brace, (see quot.); check-bridge, the fire-bridge of a boiler furnace; check-clerk, a clerk who checks accounts, lists, or any proceedings; check-collar, a collar used in horse-breaking; check-key, a latch-key; check-lock, a small lock for closing the key-hole of a large lock, or otherwise securing a lock, bar, bolt, etc.; check-man, a man who checks fares, tickets, etc.; check-nut, a nut screwed over another one to keep it from loosening; check-piece, a portion of the head-part of a rein; check-rein, (a.) a rein connecting the driving-rein of one horse to the bit of the other horse, a coupling-rein; (b.) a strap that prevents a horse from lowering his head; check-ring, a ring to fasten the check-braces to the carriage body; check-strap, the strap of a helmet, etc., running under the chin, by which it is held in position; check-till, a till with a contrivance to check the receipts; † check-watch, an officer who goes his rounds to challenge the sentinels so as to ensure their vigilance (cf. CHECK v. 4 a); check-weigher, -weighman, at collieries, a man who in the interest of the workmen checks the weight of the coal sent up; hence check-weighing.
1888. Daily News, 26 July, 5/5. At a given signal 100 heavy *check-blocks were knocked away and the 20,000 tons of logs slid gracefully into the water.
1872. (title) The *Cheque Book of the Chapel Royal (Camden Soc.).
1794. Felton, Carriages (1801), I. 211. The *check-braces are … single straps of leather, placed at the 4 angles of the body of Chaises or phaetons, to check the motion endways.
1875. ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Sports, I. I. iii. 68. It is a tiresome task, and requires some degree of cruelty by means of the *check-collar and whip.
1872. Huxley, Physiol., vii. 173. These … helping to stop excessive rotation of the skull, are called *check ligaments.
1885. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 9 March, 1/8. Croydon’s *check-list has 205 names.
1850. Chubb, Locks & Keys, 18. A *check-lock, with a small key, which throws a hard steel plate over the large key-hole.
1737–8. Manch. School Reg. (1866), I. 9. Edward Coppock of Manchester, *checkman.
1866. Cornh. Mag., March, 356. The old *checkman came with his lantern to tick off the fares.
1833. Regul. & Instr. Cavalry, I. 71. The … strap from *check-piece to check-piece, under the jaw-bone, is to keep the cavesson back from his eyes.
1873. Holland, A. Bonnic., i. 14. The *check-rein of his leading horse.
1801. Felton, Carriages, Gloss., *Check-ring.
1857. G. A. Lawrence, Guy Livingstone (Tauchn.), 34 (Hoppe). Look at the helmet, with the clean even gap in it, cloven down to the *check-strap [1857 cheek-strap].
1589. R. Harvey, Pl. Perc. (1590), 7. Curbd with a *checkthong, as bigge as a towpenny halter.
1825. Hone, Every-day Bk., I. 693. The *check ticket was a card.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, X. 613. Apon the wall, The *chak-wachis assemblit all.
1828–41. Tytler, Hist. Scot. (1864), I. 112/2. The check-watches … were making their round, and challenging the sentinels.
1885. Times, 23 June, 9. The rights and duties of the curious, almost unique functionary—the *check-weigher, appointed by the men to supervise the employer.
1888. Daily News, 16 July, 2/4. Matters relating to *check-weighmen and the question of rents and wayleaves for getting and carrying coal.
1822. Hazlitt, Table-t., I. iv. 79. Common sense thus acts as a *check-weight on sophistry.
1872. Baker, Nile Tribut., ix. 151. The reel overran itself, having no *check-wheel.
