stake

stake¹

/stayk/, n., v., staked, staking.

n.

1. a stick or post pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a boundary mark, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc.

2. a post to which a person is bound for execution, usually by burning.

3. the stake, the punishment of death by burning: Joan of Arc was sentenced to the stake.

4. one of a number of vertical posts fitting into sockets or staples on the edge of the platform of a truck or other vehicle, as to retain the load.

5. Mormon Ch. a division of ecclesiastical territory, consisting of a number of wards presided over by a president and two counselors.

6. sett (def. 2).

7. pull up stakes, Informal. to leave one's job, place of residence, etc.; move: They pulled up stakes and went to California.

v.t.

8. to mark with or as if with stakes (often fol. by off or out): We staked out the boundaries of the garden.

9. to possess, claim, or reserve a share of (land, profit, glory, etc.) as if by marking or bounding with stakes (usually fol. by out or off): I'm staking out ten percent of the profit for myself.

10. to separate or close off by a barrier of stakes.

11. to support with a stake or stakes, as a plant: to stake tomato vines.

12. to tether or secure to a stake, as an animal: They staked the goat in the back yard.

13. to fasten with a stake or stakes.

14. stake out,

a. to keep (a suspect) under police surveillance.

b. to appoint (a police officer) to maintain constant watch over a suspect or place.

[bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE staca pin; c. D staak, G Stake, ON -staki (in lysistaki candlestick); akin to STICK¹; (v.) ME staken to mark (land) with stakes, deriv. of the n.]

Syn. 1. pale, picket, pike.

stake²

/stayk/, n., v., staked, staking.

n.

1. something that is wagered in a game, race, or contest.

2. a monetary or commercial interest, investment, share, or involvement in something, as in hope of gain: I have a big stake in the success of the firm.

3. a personal or emotional concern, interest, involvement, or share: Parents have a big stake in their children's happiness.

4. the funds with which a gambler operates.

5. Often, stakes. a prize, reward, increase in status, etc., in or as if in a contest.

6. stakes. Poker. the cash values assigned to the various colored chips, various bets, and raises: Our stakes are 5, 10, and 25 cents: you can bet out 10 cents on a pair and reraise twice at 25 cents.

7. a grubstake.

8. at stake, in danger of being lost, as something that has been wagered; critically involved.

v.t.

9. to risk (something), as upon the result of a game or the occurrence or outcome of any uncertain event, venture, etc.: He staked his reputation on the success of the invention.

10. to furnish (someone) with necessaries or resources, esp. money: They staked me to a good meal and a train ticket.

[1520-30; orig. uncert.]

Syn. 1. wager, bet. 5. winnings, purse. 9. bet, gamble, hazard; jeopardize.

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