stake

noun

1. a length of wood or metal pointed at one end for driving into the ground, as for marking a boundary, supporting a plant, etc.
2. 1. the post to which a person was tied for execution by burning
   2. execution by burning
3. a pole or post fitted upright into a socket, as at the edge of a railway flatcar, truck bed, etc. to help hold a load
4. something, esp. money, bet, as in a wager, game, or contest
5. a reward given a winner, as in a race; prize
6. a race in which a prize is offered
7. a share or interest, as in property, a person, or a business venture
8. ☆ Mormon Ch. a geographical area made up of a number of wards
9. ☆ Informal grubstake

Etymology: ME < OE staca, akin to Frank *stakka: see stick

transitive verb staked, staking stak′·ing

1. ☆
   1. to mark the location or boundaries of with or as with stakes
   2. to establish (a claim) in this way: often with out
2. to support (a plant, etc.) by tying to a stake
3. to hitch or tether to a stake

4. Etymology: infl. by MDu staken, to fix, place

   to risk or hazard; gamble; bet
5. Informal to furnish with money or resources
6. ☆ Informal grubstake