n.

1. 樁，標樁；棍子，棒[C]
   He put up a stake to support the newly planted tree.

   他豎了一根樁支撐新種的樹。

2. 火刑柱；大刑，火刑[the S]
   Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.

   聖女貞德被燒死在火刑柱上。

3. 股本，股份；利害關係[C][（+in）]
   Each of us has a stake in the future of our country.

   我們國家的未來對我們每個人都有利害關係。

4. 賭金，賭注[P1]
   The old ladies played for small stakes just for amusement.

   老太太們下小賭注賭錢只是為了取樂。

5. （賽馬等的）獎金；有獎賽馬，有獎比賽[P1]
   He made a twenty-dollar bet at the stakes.

   他在有獎賽馬上下了二十元的賭注。

6. 危險，風險[U]
   My whole future was at stake.

   我的未來吉凶未卜。

vt.

1. 把……押下打賭，拿……冒險[（+on）]
   He staked all his money on the risky business.

   他將所有的錢都押在這個有風險的生意上。

2. 繫……於樁上；以樁支撐[（+up）]
   He planted and staked all the new trees.

   他栽了許多新樹，並用樁全部支撐好。

3. 用樁標出的界限[（+out/off）]
   The gold miner staked out his claim.

   那位淘金者立樁標出他的地界。

4. 用樁圍住[（+up/in）]
5. 【美】【口】資助，支持
   I'll stake you to a dinner if you'll come.

   如果你願意來，我請你吃飯。

n.

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.

v.

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.

n.

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.

v.

1. gamble (money or something of value).
2. N. Amer. informal give financial or other support to.