Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - stake

1. n. & v. --n. 1 a stout stick or post sharpened at one end and driven into the ground as a support, boundary mark, etc. 2 hist. a the post to which a person was tied to be burnt alive. b (prec. by the) death by burning as a punishment (was condemned to the stake). 3 a long vertical rod in basket-making. 4 a metalworker's small anvil fixed on a bench by a pointed prop. --v.tr. 1 fasten, secure, or support with a stake or stakes. 2 (foll. by off, out) mark off (an area) with stakes. 3 state or establish (a claim). Phrases and idioms pull (or pull up) stakes depart; go to live elsewhere. stake-boat a boat anchored to mark the course for a boat race etc. stake-body (pl. -ies) US a body for a lorry etc. having a flat open platform with removable posts along the sides. stake-net a fishing-net hung on stakes. stake out colloq. 1 place under surveillance. 2 place (a person) to maintain surveillance. stake-out n. esp. US colloq. a period of surveillance. Etymology: OE staca f. WG, rel. to STICK(2) 2. n. & v. --n. 1 a sum of money etc. wagered on an event, esp. deposited with a stakeholder. 2 (often foll. by in) an interest or concern, esp. financial. 3 (in pl.) a money offered as a prize esp. in a horse-race. b such a race (maiden stakes; trial stakes). --v.tr. 1 a wager (staked {pound}5 on the next race). b risk (staked everything on convincing him). 2 US colloq. give financial or other support to. Phrases and idioms at stake 1 risked, to be won or lost (life itself is at stake). 2 at issue, in question. Derivatives staker n. Etymology: 16th c.: perh. f. STAKE(1)