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 ø5 on the next race). b risk (staked everything on convincing him). 2 US colloq. give financial or other support to. øat stake 1 risked, to be won or lost (life itself is at stake). 2 at issue, in question. øøstaker n. [16th c.: perh. f. STAKE(1)]