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2. A series of steps, as for passing from one story of a house to another; — commonly used in the plural; but
originally used in the singular only. "I a winding stair found." Chaucer's Dream.
Below stairs, in the basement or lower part of a house, where the servants are. — Flight of stairs,
the stairs which make the whole ascent of a story. — Pair of stairs, a set or flight of stairs. — pair,
in this phrase, having its old meaning of a set. See Pair, n., 1. — Run of stars (Arch.), a single set
of stairs, or section of a stairway, from one platform to the next. — Stair rod, a rod, usually of metal,
for holding a stair carpet to its place. — Up stairs. See Upstairs in the Vocabulary.
Staircase
(Stair"case`) n. A flight of stairs with their supporting framework, casing, balusters, etc.
To make a complete staircase is a curious piece of architecture. Sir H. Wotton. Staircase shell. (Zoöl.) (a) Any scalaria, or wentletrap. (b) Any species of Solarium, or perspective
shell.
Stairhead
(Stair"head`) n. The head or top of a staircase.
Stairway
(Stair"way`) n. A flight of stairs or steps; a staircase. "A rude and narrow stairway." Moore.
Staith
(Staith) n. [AS. stæ a bank, shore, from the root of E. stead.] A landing place; an elevated staging
upon a wharf for discharging coal, etc., as from railway cars, into vessels.
Staithman
(Staith"man) n. A man employed in weighing and shipping at a staith. [Eng.]
Stake
(Stake) n. [AS. staca, from the root of E. stick; akin to OFries. & LG. stake, D. staak, Sw. stake,
Dan. stage. See Stick, v. t., and cf. Estacade, Stockade.]
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. Dryden. 2. A stick inserted upright in a lop, 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.
At stake, in danger; hazarded; pledged. "I see my reputation is at stake." Shak.
Stake
(Stake), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Staked ; p. pr. & vb. n. Staking.]
1. To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants.
2. To mark the limits of by stakes; — with out; as, to stake out land; to stake out a new road.
3. To put at hazard upon the issue of competition, or upon a future contingency; to wager; to pledge.
I'll stake yon lamb, that near the fountain plays. Pope. 4. To pierce or wound with a stake. Spectator.
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