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). 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.
[ OE staca f. WG, rel. to STICK(2) ]