n.
Pronunciation: - ˌ st ā ks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Inflected Form: also sweep-stake \ - ˌ st ā k \
Etymology: Middle English swepestake one who wins all the stakes in a game, from swepen to sweep + stake
Date: 1774
1 a : a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner specifically : STAKES RACE b : CONTEST , COMPETITION
2 : any of various lotteries