AT STAKE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of At stake

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/æt steɪk/ Listen

noun

Stake n.

1.

A piece of wood, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a support or stay; as, a stake to support vines, fences, hedges, etc. "A sharpened stake strong Dryas found."

2.

A stick inserted upright in a loop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.

3.

The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.

4.

A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a hole in a bench top, used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths, etc., for light work, punching upon, etc.

5.

That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.

6.

(Mormon Ch.) A territorial division; called also stake of Zion. "Every city, or "stake," including a chief town and surrounding towns, has its president, with two counselors; and this president has a high council of chosen men."

At stake, in danger; hazarded; pledged. "I see my reputation is at stake."

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Etymology of 'At stake'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"At stake" Quotes from Famous Books

... the color is favorable; the gods are with us!"[*] he announces; and then, since he is a Greek among Greeks, he delivers in loud voice an harangue to as many as can hear him, setting forth the patriotic issues at stake in the battle, the call of the fatherland to its sons, the glory of brave valor, the shame of cowardice, probably ending with some practical directions about "Never edging to the right!" and exhorting his men to raise as loud a war-cry as possible, both ...

— A Day In Old Athens • William Stearns Davis

... Highness what decision she means to take in a matter concerning her whole life. Do not ask what the Emperor wishes; tell me what you yourself wish." "I wish only what my duty commands me to wish," answered Marie Louise. "When the interests of the Empire are at stake, they must be consulted, not my feelings. Beg of my father to regard only his duty as a sovereign, without subordinating ...

— The Happy Days of the Empress Marie Louise • Imbert De Saint-Amand

... Published in "Narrative and Miscellaneous Essays."]—In this paper, from having faultily adjusted its proportions in the original outline, I find that I have dwelt too briefly and too feebly upon the capital interest at stake. To apply a correction to some popular misreadings of history, to show that the criminal (because trivial) occasions of war are not always its trifle causes, or to suggest that war (if resigned to its own natural movement of progress) is cleansing ...

— Memorials and Other Papers • Thomas de Quincey

... her; Sforza scowled with an anxious and threatening aspect, far he knew not what impression might be produced on his ally by this scene. But he was soon reassured; far Charles replied that he had advanced too far to draw back now, and that the glory of his name was at stake as well as the interests of his kingdom, and that these two motives were far too important to be sacrificed to any sentiment of pity he might feel, however real and deep it might be and was. The poor young woman, who had based her last hope an this appeal, then ...

— The Borgias - Celebrated Crimes • Alexandre Dumas, Pere

... Davies, starting up and facing me. 'I'm hanged if we will. Think what's at stake. Think of that ...

— Riddle of the Sands • Erskine Childers

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