checkwork

Noun

1. A pattern of alternate squares like those of a checkerboard.
   • It should be mentioned that "checkwork" is also employed to decorate the heads of several figurines from Western Europe (Brassempouy, Menton). - 1988, Anthropology & Archeology of Eurasia - Volumes 27-28, page 24:
   • But the assumption that checkwork is also a female decoration is proved by the fact that in some cases the figurines from Western Europe have details showing this same decorative feature . - 1995, Mariana Gvozdover, Art...
   • And these are the garments that they shall make: breastplate and ephod and robe and checkwork tunic, turban and sash. - 2008, Robert Alter, The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary, page 473:
2. Work that is done in order to check (inspect or verify) something.
   • Checkwork done at the Mellon Institute has shown the specifications to be fair and reasonable. - 1918, Annual Report of the Director of the Bureau of Standards, page 190:
   • The remaining 404 additional employees (6 agents and 398 clerks) are for assignment at the seat of government, the bult to be utilized to meet a rapidly rising volume of name and fingerprint checkwork. The Committee was...
   • In Medawar's own terms they describe the 'checkwork' rather than giving the wider picture of 'guesswork and checkwork' . - 2012, Robin Millar ·, Doing Science, page 142:
3. The mechanism on a reel that halts it when it is unwinding.
   • The deluxe reel with every refinement including adjustable check, quick-release drum, dual checkwork, etc. - 1964, The Fishing Gazette [New Series] - Issues 4524-4544, page 218:
   • With the reel comes an instruction booklet of exemplary clarity, in respect of both text and illustration, a necessity in view of the alterations to the checkwork which the angler himself may make for left or right-hand...
   • When set properly, the checkwork should offer more resistance to the line when it's going out than when it's being wound in. - 1987, A. J. McClane, Keith Gardner, The Complete Book of Fishing, page 20: