I. ˈstāk noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English staca; akin to Middle Low German stake pole, and perhaps to Latin tignum beam
Date: before 12th century
1. : a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven into the ground as a marker or support
2.
a. : a post to which a person is bound for execution by burning
b. : execution by burning at a stake
3.
a. : something that is staked for gain or loss
b. : the prize in a contest
c. : an interest or share in an undertaking or enterprise
4. : a Mormon territorial jurisdiction comprising a group of wards
5. : grubstake
6. : stakes race — usually used in plural but sing. or plural in constr.
•
- at stake
II. transitive verb
( staked ; stak·ing )
Date: 14th century
1. : to mark the limits of by or as if by stakes
2. : to tether to a stake
3. : bet , wager
4. : to fasten up or support (as plants) with stakes
5. : to back financially
6. : grubstake
•
- stake a claim