stake1

noun

• 1a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground to support a plant, form part of a fence, mark a boundary, etc..
• (the stake) historical a wooden post to which a person was tied before being burned alive as a punishment: Bishop Ridley was burned at the stake
• a long vertical rod used in basket-making.

• 2a metalworker’s small anvil, typically with a projection for fitting into a socket on a bench.

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

verb

• 1support (a plant) with a stake or stakes: the gladioli were staked in gaudy ranks vigorous plants need staking

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