A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1498-1625
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Chekmait, Chakmait, n. and a. Also: chekmat, -meat, chekemate; chakmait, -meit. [ME. chekmate, -mat (a 1346), e.m.E. also chekemate, OF. eschec mat.] Checkmate; checkmated. a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 832.
Herefor in tyme ȝour mys sa metigat … With a twme scheith ȝe stand nocht than chekmat c1500-c1512 Dunb. xx. 21.
Desyre sall mak debait, Evirmoir till deth say to thé than chakmait c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 254.
Sic grace he gaif, bot thame all maid chak maitc1550 Ib. iv. 334.
Sen sa he is conuict and maid chakmeit [: hait] a1568 Balnavis Bannatyne MS 139 a/93.
That beist scho will gif the thy fill, Quhill thow be evin chakmait 1558-66 Knox I. 12.
Thou should not mack thy self chek-meat to the King a1605 Montgomerie Misc. P. vii. 12.
Thair is no chose, for nou thou art chekmait c 1625 Bk. Pasquils 99.
The Bischopes … They meine to giue cheke masse, if not cheke mate
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"Chekmait n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/chekmait_n_adj>
