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tr.v. check·mat·ed, check·mat·ing, check·mates 1. To move a chess piece placing (an opponent's king) under threat of being taken on the next move with no way of escape or defense possible. 2. To defeat completely. n. 1. a. A move in chess that checkmates an opponent's king. b. The position or condition of a checkmated king. 2. An utter defeat. interj. Used to declare the checkmate of an opponent's king in chess. [Middle English chekmat, from Old French eschec mat, from Arabic šāh māt, the king is dead : šāh, king (from Persian shāh; see SHAH) + māt, died (from earlier māta, to die; see mwt in the Appendix of Semitic roots).] |
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