Collins English-English Dictionary

stake [steɪk]

1. 1. n a stick or metal bar driven into the ground as a marker, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc

2. 2. n one of a number of vertical posts that fit into sockets around a flat truck or railway wagon to hold the load in place

3. 3. n a method or the practice of executing a person by binding him to a stake in the centre of a pile of wood that is then set on fire

4. 4. n [Mormon Church] an administrative district consisting of a group of wards under the jurisdiction of a president

5. 5. vt. [tr] to tie, fasten, or tether with or to a stake

6. 6. vt. [often foll by out or off] to fence or surround with stakes

7. 7. vt. [often foll by out] to lay (a claim) to land, rights, etc

8. 8. vt. to support with a stake

9. 9. vt. [Etymology] Old English staca pin; related to Old Frisian staka, Old High German stehho, Old Norse stjaki; see stick¹

stake [steɪk]

1. 1. n the money or valuables that a player must hazard in order to buy into a gambling game or make a bet

2. 2. n an interest, often financial, held in something

   a stake in the company's future

3. 3. n [often plural] the money that a player has available for gambling

4. 4. n [often plural] a prize in a race, etc, esp one made up of contributions from contestants or owners

5. 5. n [plural] [horse racing] a race in which all owners of competing horses contribute to the prize money

6. 6. n short for grubstake

7. 7. vt. [tr] to hazard (money, etc) on a result

8. 8. vt. to invest in or support by supplying with money, etc

   to stake a business enterprise

9. 9. vt. [Etymology] C16: of uncertain origin