n.

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

   他竖了一根桩支撑新种的树。

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

   圣女贞德被烧死在火刑柱上。

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

   我们国家的未来与我们每个人都利害相关。

4. 赌金，赌注[P1]
   The old ladies played for small stakes just for amusement.

   老太太们下小赌注赌钱只是为了取乐。

5. （赛马等的）奖金；有奖赛马，有奖比赛[P1]
   He made a twenty-dollar bet at the stakes.

   他在有奖赛马上下了二十美元的赌注。

6. 危险，风险[U]
   My whole future was at stake.

   我的未来吉凶未卜。

vt.

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

   他将所有的钱都押在这个有风险的生意上。

2. 系……于桩上；以桩支撑[（+up）]
   He planted and staked all the new trees.

   他栽了许多新树，并用桩全部支撑好。

3. 用桩标出的界限[（+out/off）]
   The gold miner staked out his claim.

   那位淘金者立桩标出他的地界。

4. 用桩围住[（+up/in）]
5. 【美】【口】资助，支持
   I'll stake you to a dinner if you'll come.

   如果你愿意来，我请你吃饭。

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.