[Cf. prec.: sense 3.] A kind of grass that grows as a weed among wheat: now chiefly in U.S.: see quotations. Cf. cheat, cheats.
1736. W. Ellis, New Experiments, 71. Chess-grass. Ibid. (1744), Mod. Husbandman (1750), III. I. 50 (E. D. S.). Ches-seed Weed [Bromus secalinus]. Ibid., VIII. 304. Chess.
1828. Webster, Chess, in New-England, that weed which grows among wheat, and is supposed to be wheat degenerated or changed, as it abounds most in fields where the wheat is winter-killed.
1884. Miller, Plant-n., Cheat, Cheats, or Chess, Bromus secalinus and Lolium temulentum. American C., Brownis Kalmii.
