stake

1.
n. & v.
—n.
1 a stout stick or post sharpened at one end and driven into the ground as a support, boundary mark, etc.
2 hist. a the post to which a person was tied to be burnt alive. b (prec. by the) death by burning as a punishment (was condemned to the stake).
3 a long vertical rod in basket-making.
4 a metalworker's small anvil fixed on a bench by a pointed prop.
—v.tr.
1 fasten, secure, or support with a stake or stakes.
2 (foll. by off, out) mark off (an area) with stakes.
3 state or establish (a claim).
Phrases and idioms:
pull (or pull up) stakes depart; go to live elsewhere. stake-boat a boat anchored to mark the course for a boat race etc. stake-body (pl. -ies) US a body for a lorry etc. having a flat open platform with removable posts along the sides. stake-net a fishing-net hung on stakes. stake out colloq.
1 place under surveillance.
2 place (a person) to maintain surveillance. stake-out n. esp. US colloq. a period of surveillance.
Etymology: OE staca f. WG, rel. to STICK(2)
2.
n. & v.
—n.
1 a sum of money etc. wagered on an event, esp. deposited with a stakeholder.
2 (often foll. by in) an interest or concern, esp. financial.
3 (in pl.) a money offered as a prize esp. in a horse-race. b such a race (maiden stakes; trial stakes).
—v.tr.
1 a wager (staked pound5 on the next race). b risk (staked everything on convincing him).
2 US colloq. give financial or other support to.
Phrases and idioms:
at stake
1 risked, to be won or lost (life itself is at stake).
2 at issue, in question.
Derivatives:
staker n.
Etymology: 16th c.: perh. f. STAKE(1)