stake

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: interestpoststakesbetwagerventurehazardadventurejeopardizebet onbackgage

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something“they have interests all over the world”“a stake in the company's future”Synonyms: interest
  2. a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track)“a pair of posts marked the goal”“the corner of the lot was indicated by a stake”Synonyms: post
  3. instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning
  4. the money risked on a gambleSynonyms: stakesbetwager
  5. a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground

Verb (5)

  1. put at risk“I will stake my good reputation for this”Synonyms: venturehazardadventurejeopardize
  2. place a bet on“Which horse are you backing?”“I'm betting on the new horse”Synonyms: bet onbackgagegamepunt
  3. mark with a stake“stake out the path”Synonyms: post
  4. tie or fasten to a stake“stake your goat”
  5. kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole“the enemies were impaled and left to die”Synonyms: impale
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Stake \Stake\ (st[=a]k), n. [AS. staca, from the root of E. stick; akin to OFries. & LG. stake, D. staak, Sw. stake, Dan. stage. See Stick, v. t., and cf. Estacade, Stockade.]

1.A piece of wood, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a support or stay; as, a stake to support vines, fences, hedges, etc. [1913 Webster]

A sharpened stake strong Dryas found.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.A stick inserted upright in a loop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off. [1913 Webster]

3.The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire. [1913 Webster]

4.A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a hole in a bench top, -- used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths, etc., for light work, punching upon, etc. [1913 Webster]

5.That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge. [1913 Webster]

6.(Mormon Ch.) A territorial division; -- called also stake of Zion.

Every city, or "stake," including a chief town and surrounding towns, has its president, with two counselors; and this president has a high council of chosen men.— Schaff-Herzog Encyc.[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

At stake, in danger; hazarded; pledged. "I see my reputation is at stake." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Stake \Stake\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Staked (st[=a]kd); p. pr. & vb. n. Staking.]

1.To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants. [1913 Webster]

2.To mark the limits of by stakes; -- with out; as, to stake out land; to stake out a new road. [1913 Webster]

3.To put at hazard upon the issue of competition, or upon a future contingency; to wager; to pledge. [1913 Webster]

I'll stake yon lamb, that near the fountain plays.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

4.To pierce or wound with a stake. --Spectator. [1913 Webster]

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