A piece of wood or other material, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a marker or a support or stay.
“We have surveyor's stakes at all four corners of this field, to mark exactly its borders.”
(with definite article) The piece of timber to which a person condemned to death was affixed to be burned.
“Thomas Cranmer was burnt at the stake.”
verb
To fasten, support, defend, or delineate with stakes.
“to stake vines or plants”
To provide another with money in order to engage in an activity as betting or a business venture.
“His family staked him $10,000 to get his business started.”