[wa.ger] n [ME, pledge, bet, fr. AF wageure, fr. ONF wagier to pledge] (14c) 1 a: something (as a sum of money) risked on an uncertain event: stake b: something on which bets are laid: gamble "do a stunt as a ~"
2. archaic: an act of giving a pledge to take and abide by the result of some action
[2]wager vb wa.gered ; wa.ger.ing vi (1602): to make a bet ~ vt: to risk or venture on a final outcome; specif: to lay as a gamble: bet "~ $5 on a horse" -- wa.ger.er n