Past tense of 'ante': to put up money or a stake as a contribution to a pot in poker or to contribute to a shared cost.
From Latin 'ante' (before), used in poker terminology where players put their stakes forward before play begins. The word entered English from poker slang in the 19th century.
The phrase 'ante up' comes from poker, but it's become so common that people say it when asking anyone to contribute their share—originally it meant literally putting your money before the dealer, now it means 'pay your part.'
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