Library / English Dictionary

STAKE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stake" is a kind of...):

post (an upright consisting of a piece of timber or metal fixed firmly in an upright position)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stake" is a kind of...):

instrument of execution (an instrument designed and used to take the life of a condemned person)

Derivation:

stake (kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track)

Example:

the corner of the lot was indicated by a stake

Synonyms:

post; stake

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("stake" is a kind of...):

visual signal (a signal that involves visual communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stake"):

starting post (a post marking the starting point of a race (especially a horse race))

winning post (the post at the end of a racecourse)

Derivation:

stake (mark with a stake)

stake (tie or fasten to a stake)

Sense 4

Meaning:

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something

Example:

a stake in the company's future

Synonyms:

interest; stake

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("stake" is a kind of...):

part; percentage; portion; share (assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stake"):

right ((frequently plural) the interest possessed by law or custom in some intangible thing)

reversion ((law) an interest in an estate that reverts to the grantor (or his heirs) at the end of some period (e.g., the death of the grantee))

equity (the ownership interest of shareholders in a corporation)

fee (an interest in land capable of being inherited)

undivided interest; undivided right (the interest in property owned by tenants whereby each tenant has an equal right to enjoy the entire property)

terminable interest (an interest in property that terminates under specific conditions)

security interest (any interest in a property that secures the payment of an obligation)

vested interest ((law) an interest in which there is a fixed right to present or future enjoyment and that can be conveyed to another)

insurable interest (an interest in a person or thing that will support the issuance of an insurance policy; an interest in the survival of the insured or in the preservation of the thing that is insured)

controlling interest (ownership of more than 50% of a corporation's voting shares)

grubstake (funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a business in return for a share of the profits)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The money risked on a gamble

Synonyms:

bet; stake; stakes; wager

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("stake" is a kind of...):

gamble (money that is risked for possible monetary gain)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stake"):

jackpot; kitty; pot (the cumulative amount involved in a game (such as poker))

ante ((poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot)

kitty; pool (the combined stakes of the betters)

Holonyms ("stake" is a part of...):

pool (any communal combination of funds)

Derivation:

stake (place a bet on)

stake (put at risk)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Place a bet on

Example:

I'm betting on the new horse

Synonyms:

back; bet on; gage; game; punt; stake

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "stake" is one way to...):

bet; play; wager (stake on the outcome of an issue)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stake"):

ante (place one's stake)

double up; parlay (stake winnings from one bet on a subsequent wager)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s on something

Sentence example:

They stake the money

Derivation:

stake (the money risked on a gamble)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole

Example:

the enemies were impaled and left to die

Synonyms:

impale; stake

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "stake" is one way to...):

kill (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly)

"Stake" entails doing...:

pierce (make a hole into)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Sentence example:

They want to stake the prisoners

Derivation:

stake (instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Mark with a stake

Example:

stake out the path

Synonyms:

post; stake

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "stake" is one way to...):

mark (make or leave a mark on)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

stake (a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track))

Sense 4

Meaning:

Tie or fasten to a stake

Example:

stake your goat

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "stake" is one way to...):

fasten; fix; secure (cause to be firmly attached)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

stake (a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track))

Sense 5

Meaning:

Put at risk

Example:

I will stake my good reputation for this

Synonyms:

adventure; hazard; jeopardize; stake; venture

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "stake" is one way to...):

lay on the line; put on the line; risk (expose to a chance of loss or damage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

stake (the money risked on a gamble)

Credits

 Context examples: 

To-night. Same hour. Same place. Two taps. Most vitally important. Your own safety at stake.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In the end, with loud protestations that he could lose like a gentleman, the cook’s last money was staked on the game—and lost.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A path had been staked off from the city gate to the stands which had been erected for the court and the nobility.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So, stand off please, and let me have a go at the stake.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Our whole lives are at stake in this.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"That's it," he said, "at a high moment, when what seems your life's happiness is at stake, you are afraid of life in the same old way—afraid of life and a healthy oath."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Her whole happiness seemed at stake, while the affair was in suspense, and everything secured when it was determined that the lodgings should be taken for another fortnight.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The other end of the stick, in turn, was made fast to a stake in the ground by means of a leather thong.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

There are major interests at stake.

(Health threats caused by mobile phone radiation, EUROPARL TV)

By good luck you came along and pulled me off the stake, and from what you say I am sure the Great Oz will give me brains as soon as we get to the Emerald City.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)