Hypertext Webster Gateway: "stake"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stake \Stake\, n. (Mormon Ch.)
A territorial division; -- called also {stake of Zion}.
Every city, or ``stake,'' including a chief town and
surrounding towns, has its president, with two
counselors; and this president has a high council of
chosen men. --Schaff-Herzog
Encyc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stake \Stake\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Staked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Staking}.]
1. To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake
vines or plants.
2. To mark the limits of by stakes; -- with out; as, to stake
out land; to stake out a new road.
3. To put at hazard upon the issue of competition, or upon a
future contingency; to wager; to pledge.
I'll stake yon lamb, that near the fountain plays.
--Pope.
4. To pierce or wound with a stake. --Spectator.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stake \Stake\, n. [AS. staca, from the root of E. stick; akin to
OFries. & LG. stake, D. staak, Sw. stake, Dan. stage. See
{Stick}, v. t., and cf. {Estacade}, {Stockade}.]
1. A piece of wood, usually long and slender, pointed at one
end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a support
or stay; as, a stake to support vines, fences, hedges,
etc.
A sharpened stake strong Dryas found. --Dryden.
2. A stick inserted upright in a lop, eye, or mortise, at the
side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent
goods from falling off.
3. The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be
burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.
4. A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a
hole in a bench top, -- used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths,
etc., for light work, punching upon, etc.
5. That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked
or hazarded; a pledge.
{At stake}, in danger; hazarded; pledged. ``I see my
reputation is at stake.'' --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
stake
n 1: a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement
with something; "they have interests all over the
world"; "a stake in the company's future" [syn: {interest}]
2: a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or
end of a race track) [syn: {post}]
3: instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a
victim is tied to for burning
4: the money risked on a gamble [syn: {stakes}, {bet}, {wager}]
v 1: put at risk; "I will stake my good reputation for this"
[syn: {venture}, {hazard}, {adventure}, {jeopardize}]
2: place a bet on; "Which horse are you backing?" "I'm betting
on the new horse" [syn: {bet on}, {back}, {gage}, {game},
{punt}]
3: mark with a stake; "stake out the path" [syn: {post}]
4: tie or fasten to a stake; "stake your goat"
5: kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole; "the enemies
were impaled and left to die" [syn: {impale}]
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