Stake

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Stake, 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.].

•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  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]
•  The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.  [1913 Webster]
•  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]
•  That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

At stake, in danger; hazarded; pledged. “I see my reputation is at stake.” Shak.

Stake, v. t. 

•  To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants.  [1913 Webster]
•  To mark the limits of by stakes; -- with out; as, to stake out land; to stake out a new road.  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  To pierce or wound with a stake.  Spectator.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Stake, 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).

Idiom

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.

Stake, 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 {pound}5 on the next race). b risk (staked everything on convincing him).
2 US colloq. give financial or other support to.

Idiom

at stake
1 risked, to be won or lost (life itself is at stake).
2 at issue, in question.

Derivative

staker n.

Etymology

16th c.: perh. f. STAKE(1)

THESAURUS

Stake

Derby, Kentucky Derby, Kreis, Preakness Stakes, absolute interest, allotment, allowance, angel, ante, ante up, archbishopric, archdiocese, arrondissement, at hazard, at stake, ax, back, backing, bailiwick, bank, bankroll, benefit, bet, bet on, big end, bigger half, bishopric, bit, bite, block, bond, book, borough, bottomry, budget, cage, call, canton, capitalization, capitalize, caution, caution money, chain, chance, chase, chunk, circumscribe, city, claim, close in, close off, collateral, collateral security, column, commission, common, commune, concern, concerned, confine, congressional district, constablewick, contingent, contingent interest, county, cover, cross, cut, deal, death chair, death chamber, deficit financing, define, delimit, delineate, demarcate, depart, departement, deposit, destiny, diocese, district, dividend, dole, drop, duchy, easement, electoral district, electorate, electric chair, emigrate, enclose, end, equal share, equitable interest, equity, estate, fade, fasten, fate, fence, finance, financial backing, financial support, financing, flat race, forfeit, fund, funding, gallows, gallows-tree, gamble, game, gas chamber, gibbet, go bail, government, grubstake, guillotine, half, halter, halver, hamlet, handbook, handicap, handicap race, handsel, harness race, hazard, helping, hem in, hemp, hempen collar, hitch, hock, holding, horse race, hot seat, hundred, hurdle race, hypothecate, impignorate, impound, in jeopardy, interest, investment, involved, involvement, jackpot, jeopardize, jeopardized, kitty, lash, lay, lay a wager, lay down, leash, leave, leg, lethal chamber, limitation, lot, magistracy, maiden, make a bet, margin, mark off, mark out, measure, meed, meet a bet, mess, metropolis, metropolitan area, migrate, modicum, moiety, mortgage, move on, noose, oblast, okrug, on the table, outline, pale, paling, palisade, parish, parlay, part, pass, patronization, patronize, pawn, pay for, peg, pen, percentage, picket, piece, pike, pile, pillar, plate race, play, play against, pledge, plunge, pole, pool, portion, post, pot, precinct, principality, proportion, provide for, province, provision of capital, pull up stakes, punt, purse race, put, put in hock, put in pawn, put up, quantum, quarter-horse race, quota, rake-off, ration, refinance, region, resettle, riding, right, right of entry, risk, risked, rope, scaffold, secure, see, segment, set up, settlement, shank, share, sheriffalty, sheriffwick, shire, shot, shrievalty, shut in, slice, small share, soke, spike, spile, sponsor, sponsorship, spout, stake out, stake race, stakes, stand pat, state, stave, steeplechase, stick, stock, strict settlement, subsidize, subsidy, support, sweep, sweepstake, sweepstakes, territory, tether, the chair, tie up, tiger, title, town, township, tree, trotting race, trust, upright, use, venture, vested interest, village, wager, wall in, wapentake, ward

ROGET THESAURUS

Stake

Chance

N chance, lot, fate, luck, good luck, mascot, speculation, venture, stake, game of chance, mere shot, random shot, blind bargain, leap in the dark, pig in a poke, fluke, potluck, faro bank, flyer, limit, uncertainty, uncertainty principle, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, drawing lots, sortilegy, sortition, sortes, sortes Virgilianae, rouge et noir, hazard, ante, chuck-a-luck, crack-loo, craps, faro, roulette, pitch and toss, chuck, farthing, cup tossing, heads or tails cross and pile, poker-dice, wager, bet, betting, gambling, the turf, gaming house, gambling house, betting house, bucket shop, gambling joint, totalizator, totalizer, hell, betting ring, dice, dice box, gambler, gamester, man of the turf, adventurer, dicer, fortuitous, unintentional, unintended, accidental, not meant, undesigned, purposed, unpremeditated, unforeseen, uncontemplated, never thought of, random, indiscriminate, promiscuous, undirected, aimless, driftless, designless, purposeless, causeless, without purpose, possible, unforeseeable, unpredictable, chancy, risky, speculative, dicey, randomly, by chance, fortuitously, unpredictably, unforeseeably, casually, unintentionally, unwittingly, en passant, by the way, incidentally, as it may happen, at random, at a venture, at haphazard, acierta errando, dextro tempore, fearful concatenation of circumstances, fortuitous combination of circumstances, le jeu est le fils d'avarice et le pere du desespo, the happy combination of fortuitous circumstances, the fortuitous or casual concourse of atoms, God does not play dice with the universe, chance, indetermination, accident, fortune, hazard, hap, haphazard, chance medley, random, luck, raccroc, casualty, contingence, adventure, hit, fate, equal chance, lottery, tombola, toss up, turn of the table, turn of the cards, hazard of the die, chapter of accidents, fickle finger of fate, cast of the dice, throw of the dice, heads or tails, flip of a coin, wheel of Fortune, sortes, sortes Virgilianae, probability, possibility, odds, long odds, run of luck, accidentalness, main chance, odds on, favorable odds, contingency, dependence (uncertainty), situation (circumstance), statistics, theory of Probabilities, theory of Chances, bookmaking, assurance, speculation, gaming, casual, fortuitous, accidental, adventitious, causeless, incidental, contingent, uncaused, undetermined, indeterminate, random, statistical, possible, unintentional, by chance, accidentally, by accident, casually, perchance, for aught one knows, as good would have it, as bad would have it, as luck would have it, as ill-luck would have it, as chance would have it, as it may be, as it may chance, as it may turn up, as it may happen, as the case may be, grasps the skirts of happy chance, the accident of an accident, There but for the grace of God go I.

VB chance, stand a chance, toss up, cast lots, draw lots, leave to chance, trust to chance, leave to the chapter of accidents, trust to the chapter of accidents, tempt fortune, chance it, take one's chance, take a shot at it (attempt), run the risk, run the chance, incur the risk, incur the chance, encounter the risk, encounter the chance, stand the hazard of the die, speculate, try one's luck, set on a cast, raffle, put into a lottery, buy a pig in a poke, shuffle the cards, risk, venture, hazard, stake, ante, lay, lay a wager, make a bet, wager, bet, gamble, game, play for, play at chuck farthing, chance, hap, turn up, fall to one's lot, be one's fate, stumble on light upon, take one's chance.

Danger

VB be in danger, be exposed to danger, run into danger, incur danger, encounter danger, run a risk, lay oneself open to, lean on a broken reed, trust to a broken reed, feel the ground sliding from under one, have to run for it, have the chances against one, have the odds against one, face long odds, be in deep trouble, be between a rock and a hard place, hang by a thread, totter, sleep on a volcano, stand on a volcano, sit on a barrel of gunpowder, live in a glass house, bring in danger, place in danger, put in danger, place in jeopardy, put in jeopardy, endanger, expose to danger, imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, compromise, sail too near the wind, adventure, risk, hazard, venture, stake, set at hazard, run the gauntlet, engage in a forlorn hope, threaten danger, run one hard, lay a trap for.

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.

Property

N property, possession, suum cuique, meum et tuum, ownership, proprietorship, lordship, seignority, empire, interest, stake, estate, right, title, claim, demand, holding, tenure, vested interest, contingent interest, beneficial interest, equitable interest, use, trust, benefit, legal estate, equitable estate, seizin, seisin, absolute interest, paramount estate, freehold, fee tail, fee simple, estate in fee, estate in tail, estate tail, estate in tail male, estate in tail female, estate in tail general, limitation, term, lease, settlement, strict settlement, particular estate, estate for life, estate for years, estate pur autre vie, remainder, reversion, expectancy, possibility, dower, dowry, jointure, appanage, inheritance, heritage, patrimony, alimony, legacy, Falcidian law, paternal estate, thirds, assets, belongings, means, resources, circumstances, wealth, money, what one is worth, what one will cut up for, estate and effects, landed property, landed real estate property, realty, land, lands, tenements, hereditaments, corporeal hereditaments, incorporeal hereditaments, acres, ground, acquest, messuage, toft, territory, state, kingdom, principality, realm, empire, protectorate, sphere of influence, manor, honor, domain, demesne, farm, plantation, hacienda, allodium, fief, fieff, feoff, feud, zemindary, dependency, arado, merestead, ranch, free lease-holds, copy lease-holds, folkland, chattels real, fixtures, plant, heirloom, easement, right of common, right of user, personal property, personal estate, personal effects, personalty, chattels, goods, effects, movables, stock, stock in trade, things, traps, rattletraps, paraphernalia, equipage, parcels, appurtenances, impedimenta, luggage, baggage, bag and baggage, pelf, cargo, lading, rent roll, income, maul and wedges, patent, copyright, chose in action, credit, debt, one's own, landed, predial, manorial, allodial, free lease-hold, copy lease-hold, feudal, feodal, to one's credit, to one's account, to the good, to one and his heirs for ever, to one and the heirs of his body, to one and his heirs and assigns, to one and his executors administrators and assign.

Payment

N payment, defrayment, discharge, acquittance, quittance, settlement, clearance, liquidation, satisfaction, reckoning, arrangement, acknowledgment, release, receipt, receipt in full, receipt in full of all demands, voucher, salary, compensation, remuneration (reward), repayment, reimbursement, retribution, pay, money paid, ready money, stake, remittance, installment, payer, liquidator, pay cash, pay cash on the barrelhead, paying, paid, owing nothing, out of debt, all straight, unowed, never indebted, to the tune of, on the nail, money down.

Scourge

N scourge, rod, cane, stick, ratan, rattan, birch, birch rod, azote, blacksnake, bullwhack, chicote, kurbash, quirt, rawhide, sjambok, rod in pickle, switch, ferule, cudgel, truncheon, whip, bullwhip, lash, strap, thong, cowhide, knout, cat, cat o'nine tails, rope's end, pillory, stocks, whipping post, cucking stool, ducking stool, brank, trebuchet, trebuket, triangle, wooden horse, iron maiden, thumbscrew, boot, rack, wheel, iron heel, chinese water torture, treadmill, crank, galleys, scaffold, block, ax, guillotine, stake, cross, gallows, gibbet, tree, drop, noose, rope, halter, bowstring, death chair, electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, mecate, house of correction, goaler, jailer, executioner, electrocutioner, lyncher, hangman, headsman, Jack Ketch.