stake

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
stake1

▶noun

• 1 a strong post with a point at one end, driven into the ground to support a tree, form part of a fence, etc.

  ■ historical a wooden post to which a person was tied before being burned alive as a punishment.

• 2 a small anvil, typically with a projection for fitting into a socket on a bench.

• 3 a long vertical rod used in basket-making.

• 4 a territorial division of the Mormon Church.

▶verb

• 1 support (a plant) with a stake.

• 2 (stake something out) mark an area with stakes so as to claim ownership.

  ■ defend a position or policy assertively.

• 3 (stake someone/thing out) informal keep a person or place under surveillance.

– phrases
pull up stakes N. Amer. move or go to live elsewhere.
stake a claim assert one's right to something.

– origin OE staca, of W. Gmc origin; rel. to stick2.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
stake2

▶noun

• 1 a sum of money gambled on a risky game or venture.

• 2 a share or interest in a business or situation.

• 3 (stakes) prize money.

  ■ [in names] a horse race in which the owners of the horses running contribute to the prize money.

• 4 (stakes) a competitive situation: one step ahead in the fashion stakes.

▶verb

• 1 gamble (money or something of value).

• 2 N. Amer. informal give financial or other support to.

– phrases
at stake

• 1 at risk.

• 2 at issue or in question.

– origin ME: perh. a specialized usage of stake1, from the notion of an object being placed as a wager on a post or stake.