stake1

noun

• 1a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground to support a tree, form part of a fence, act as a boundary mark, etc..
• a long vertical rod used in basket-making.
• a metalworker’s small anvil, typically with a projection for fitting into a socket on a bench.

• 2 (the stake) historical a wooden post to which a person was tied before being burned alive as a punishment.

• 3a territorial division of the Mormon Church under the jurisdiction of a president.

verb

• 1support (a tree or plant) with a stake or stakes.

• 2 (stake something out) mark an area with stakes so as to claim ownership of it:the boundary between the two ranches was properly staked out figurativethe local dog staked out his territory
• be assertive in defining and defending a position or policy:Elena was staking out a role for herself as a formidable political force