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checkmate definition

check·mate (-māt′)

noun

  1. Chess
    1. the move that wins the game by checking the opponent's king so that it cannot be protected
    2. the condition of the king after such a move
  2. complete defeat, frustration, etc.

Etymology: ME chek mat < OFr eschec mat, ult. < Pers šāh māt, lit., the king is dead < šāh, king + māt, he is dead

interjection

Chess used to signify that one's opponent's king is in checkmate

transitive verb checkmated -·mat′·ed, checkmating -·mat′·ing

  1. Chess to place in checkmate
  2. to defeat completely; frustrate; thwart

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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