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stake
The word carries a heavy tension between physical stability and high-risk instability. In its literal sense, it is about grounding and securing something firmly in place, creating a fixed point of support. In a financial or emotional sense, it evokes a feeling of vulnerability and danger. When someone has a stake in something, they are no longer a passive observer; they are exposed to potential loss, creating a psychological state of urgency and investment.
Countable when referring to a physical post or a specific bet. Uncountable when referring to the general concept of risk or the total amount of money being gambled.
Meanings
A strong wooden or metal post driven into the ground.
"He drove a stake into the soil to support the vine."
A sum of money or something of value risked in a gamble or venture.
"The gambler put a high stake on the final horse."
A share or percentage of ownership in a business.
"She holds a twenty percent stake in the startup."
To support a plant with a post.
"You should stake the tomatoes so they grow straight."