A stake is a strong, pointed stick or post that is pushed into the ground to support or mark something. It can also mean the money, risk, or personal interest someone has in a situation or decision.
From Old English “staca” meaning “stake, post,” related to Old Norse “staki.” The physical idea of a post in the ground later broadened into the idea of something you ‘put in’ or risk in a situation.
In gambling, your ‘stake’ is what you put on the table, just like a physical stake is something you drive into the ground. Expressions like “high-stakes test” or “having a stake in the outcome” all come from that picture of putting something valuable into play.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.