stake /ˈstek/
 樁,炮烙刑,木柱,賭注,獎金(vt.)打樁,用樁撐,下賭注,資助(vi.)打賭


 Stake n.
 1. 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.
 2. A stick inserted upright in a loop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.
 3. The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.
 4. 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.
 5. That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.
 6. 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.
 At stake, in danger; hazarded; pledged. “I see my reputation is at stake.” --Shak.


 Stake, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Staked p. pr. & vb. n. Staking.]
 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.

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 stake
      n 1: (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial
           involvement with something; "they have interests all
           over the world"; "a stake in the company's future" [syn:
            interest]
      2: a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or
         end of a race track); "a pair of posts marked the goal";
         "the corner of the lot was indicated by a stake" [syn: post]
      3: instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a
         victim is tied to for burning
      4: the money risked on a gamble [syn: stakes, bet, wager]
      v 1: put at risk; "I will stake my good reputation for this"
           [syn: venture, hazard, adventure, jeopardize]
      2: place a bet on; "Which horse are you backing?"; "I'm betting
         on the new horse" [syn: bet on, back, gage, game,
         punt]
      3: mark with a stake; "stake out the path" [syn: post]
      4: tie or fasten to a stake; "stake your goat"
      5: kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole; "the enemies
         were impaled and left to die" [syn: impale]