Check nut

Nut \Nut\ (n[u^]t), n. [OE. nute, note, AS. hnutu; akin to D.
   noot, G. nuss, OHG. nuz, Icel. hnot, Sw. n["o]t, Dan.
   n["o]d.]
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   1. (Bot.) The fruit of certain trees and shrubs (as of the
      almond, walnut, hickory, beech, filbert, etc.), consisting
      of a hard and indehiscent shell inclosing a kernel.
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   2. A perforated block (usually a small piece of metal),
      provided with an internal or female screw thread, used on
      a bolt, or screw, for tightening or holding something, or
      for transmitting motion. See Illust. of 1st {Bolt}.
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   3. The tumbler of a gunlock. --Knight.
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   4. (Naut.) A projection on each side of the shank of an
      anchor, to secure the stock in place.
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   5. pl. Testicles. [vulgar slang]
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   {Check nut}, {Jam nut}, {Lock nut}, a nut which is screwed up
      tightly against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in
      order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the first nut.
      

   {Nut buoy}. See under {Buoy}.

   {Nut coal}, screened coal of a size smaller than stove coal
      and larger than pea coal; -- called also {chestnut coal}.
      

   {Nut crab} (Zool.), any leucosoid crab of the genus {Ebalia}
      as, {Ebalia tuberosa} of Europe.

   {Nut grass} (Bot.), See {nut grass} in the vocabulary.

   {Nut lock}, a device, as a metal plate bent up at the
      corners, to prevent a nut from becoming unscrewed, as by
      jarring.

   {Nut pine}. (Bot.) See under {Pine}.

   {Nut rush} (Bot.), a genus of cyperaceous plants ({Scleria})
      having a hard bony achene. Several species are found in
      the United States and many more in tropical regions.

   {Nut tree}, a tree that bears nuts.

   {Nut weevil} (Zool.), any species of weevils of the genus
      {Balaninus} and other allied genera, which in the larval
      state live in nuts.
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Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. ['e]chec,
   a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl.
   ['e]checs chess, through Ar., fr. Pers. sh[=a]h king. See
   {Shah}, and cf. {Checkmate}, {Chess}, {Checker}.]
   1. (Chess) A word of warning denoting that the king is in
      danger; such a menace of a player's king by an adversary's
      move as would, if it were any other piece, expose it to
      immediate capture. A king so menaced is said to be in
      check, and must be made safe at the next move.
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   2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest;
      stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
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            Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress
            of Christianity.                      --Addison.
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            No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
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   3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle,
      guard, restraint, or rebuff.
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            Useful check upon the administration of government.
                                                  --Washington.
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            A man whom no check could abash.      --Macaulay.
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   4. A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be
      prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as,
      checks placed against items in an account; a check given
      for baggage; a return check on a railroad.
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   5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as
      therein stated. See {Bank check}, below.
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   6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten
      of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design;
      also, cloth having such a figure.
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   7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to
      follow other birds.
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   8. Small chick or crack.
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   {Bank check}, a written order on a banker or broker to pay
      money in his keeping belonging to the signer.

   {Check book}, a book containing blank forms for checks upon a
      bank.

   {Check hook}, a hook on the saddle of a harness, over which a
      checkrein is looped.

   {Check list}, a list or catalogue by which things may be
      verified, or on which they may be checked.

   {Check nut} (Mech.), a secondary nut, screwing down upon the
      primary nut to secure it. --Knight.

   {Check valve} (Mech.), a valve in the feed pipe of a boiler,
      or other conduit, to prevent the return of the feed water
      or other fluid.

   {To take check}, to take offense. [Obs.] --Dryden.

   Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction;
        reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff;
        tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.
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