subs. (old).—See quot.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. STAKE. A booty acquired by robbery…; and, if considerable, a PRIME STAKE, or a HEAVY STAKE. A person alluding to anything … comparatively … invaluable, would say, I consider it a STAKE … a valuable or acceptable acquisition of any kind is emphatically called a STAKE, meaning a great prize.
Verb. (American).—To provide for.
TO LOSE THE MATCH AND POCKET THE STAKES, verb. phr. (venery).—To be got with child.
