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ante

Syllabification: (an·te)
Pronunciation: /ˈantē/
Definition of ante

noun

  • a stake put up by a player in poker and similar games before receiving cards.

verb (antes, anteing, anted)

[with object] (ante something up)
  • put up an amount as an ante in poker and similar games.
  • North American informal pay an amount of money in advance:he anted up $925,000 of his own money
  • [no object] (ante up) informal put up one’s money; pay up:the owners have to ante up if they want to attract the best talent

Phrases

up (or raise) the ante

increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute:he decided to up the ante in the trade war

Origin:

early 19th century: from Latin, literally 'before'

ante in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ante in the British & World English dictionary

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