A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Check
CHECK (Fr. L'Attrape, La Chaise; Ital. Ribatto or Paramartello; Ger. Fänger), an important member in the action of a grand pianoforte, consisting of an upright of thick wire, bearing an almost spade-shaped head of leather or some light wood covered with leather. It is fixed in the back part of the key behind the hammer, and its duty is to catch the hammer when it falls a certain distance away from the string, and hold it until it is released by the finger of the player allowing the key to rise. In cottage pianofortes or pianinos that have check actions the check is placed before the hammer, and a stud projecting from the butt of the hammer comes in contact with the check. [ Pianoforte.]
[ A. J. H. ]