The act of placing money or something valuable on the outcome of something uncertain, or securing something with stakes or posts.
From Old English 'staca' meaning a stick or pole, or from Proto-Germanic 'stakaz.' Later it evolved metaphorically to mean wagering, as in 'stake a claim' or placing bets.
Medieval trials actually used literal stakes—sometimes wooden poles driven into the ground—and later people would 'stake' money or possessions on outcomes, which is why we still use 'stake' for high-risk bets!
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