I. ˈan-tē noun
Etymology: ante-
Date: 1821
1. : a poker stake usually put up before the deal to build the pot
the dealer called for a dollar ante
2.
a. : cost , price
these improvements would raise the ante
b. : risk , stakes
the new law ups the ante on tax cheats
c. : a level (as of achievement or intensity) regarded especially as a goal or standard
the film ups the ante on special effects
II. verb
( an·ted ; an·te·ing )
Date: 1775
transitive verb
: to put up (an ante) ; also : pay , produce — often used with up
intransitive verb
: pay up — often used with up