scacco
check (chess)
noun SKAHK-koh Rare
Origin: From Arabic shāh (king), via Persian, the same root as 'chess.'
Also means
square (pattern)
Usage Note
Scacco means a check in chess (dare scacco = to put in check) and by extension a setback or defeat: subire uno scacco (to suffer a setback). The plural scacchi means the game of chess itself: giocare a scacchi. A tessuto a scacchi is a check-patterned fabric. Scacco matto is checkmate.
Examples
"Ha dato scacco matto in poche mosse."
Natural Translation
He delivered checkmate in just a few moves.
Literal Translation
He-has given check mate in few moves.
Related Words
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