It may be checkered (4)
I believe the answer is:
past
'it may be checkered' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for past that I've seen before include "Finished, gone" , "Yesteryear" , "Days gone by" , "Second visitor in 5 [A CHRISTMAS CAROL]" , "tense" .)