stake etymology

Etymology

The word "stake" has multiple origins:

• Old English: "staca", meaning a pole or post driven into the ground

• Middle Dutch: "stake", a pointed stick

• Proto-Germanic: "*stakon", related to "stick"

Meaning

A stake is:

• A pointed stick or metal bar driven into the ground for various purposes, such as fencing, marking boundaries, or holding objects in place.
• A piece of money or property bet in a gamble or game.
• A high level of risk or consequence.
• A position of entrapment or danger.
• A fine or penalty imposed for a crime or offense.

Origin

The earliest use of the word "stake" in English dates back to the 13th century. It originally referred to a pole used for supporting crops or marking boundaries. Over time, it acquired additional meanings, including its use in gambling and the sense of "risk or consequence."

Usage

The word "stake" is commonly used in various contexts, such as:

• "To stake a claim" (to establish a right or interest)
• "To stake a horse" (to bet on a horse)
• "To have a stake in something" (to have an interest or investment)
• "To be at stake" (to be at risk or in danger)
• "To collect one's stakes" (to claim winnings in a game)

stake relate terms

• attach

  Etymology the study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time

• detach

  Etymology Old French destachier Late Latin distaccare Medieval Latin dis taccar

• stake

  Etymology The word stake has multiple origins Old English staca meaning a pole o

• attached

  Etymology From Middle English attachen from Anglo French atacher ultimately from Vulgar

• sweepstakes

  Etymology The word sweepstakes is derived from the following Middle English terms Sw

• sweep

  Etymology Old English swapan to sweep brush Proto Germanic swōpaną Proto Indo Eur

• stake

  Etymology The word stake has multiple origins Old English staca meaning a pole o

• stack

  Etymology The word stack derives from the Middle English word stak which is itself

• interest

  Etymology and Meaning of Interest The word interest originates from the Old French te

• pole

  Etymology The word pole derives from the following roots Middle English pol Old

• palisade

  Etymology The word palisade comes from the French pallisade which in turn comes from

• picket

  Etymology Middle English piket from Middle Dutch pikeet from Late Latin picquetum fr

• punt

  Etymology The word punt comes from the Middle English word pounten which itself is d

• adventure

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French aventure from Latin adventūra literal

• recipe

  Etymology The word recipe comes from the Latin word recipere meaning to take or rec