Definition of checker

The origin of the word "checker" can be traced back to the 17th century. In the context of games, a checker refers to a piece marked with a different color or pattern, typically used on a checkerboard. The word "checker" comes from the Old French word "eschequier," which means "to check" or "to block." The game of checkers, also known as draughts, originated in the Middle East around the 12th century. The game was played with pieces made of wood or bone, and the objective was to capture all of the opponent's pieces. As the game spread throughout Europe, the word "checker" became commonly used to describe the game pieces. Over time, the term "checker" has also been used to describe other types of games that involve moving pieces around a grid, such as chess.