stake

Noun

1.(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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Verb

Imp. & p. p.: staked; p. pr. & vb. n.: staking.

Transitive

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.