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grubstake

[gruhb-steyk]
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noun
  1. provisions, gear, etc., furnished to a prospector on condition of participating in the profits of any discoveries.
  2. money or other assistance furnished at a time of need or of starting an enterprise.
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verb (used with object), grub·staked, grub·stak·ing.
  1. to furnish with a grubstake: I grubstaked him to two mules and supplies enough for five months.
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Origin of grubstake

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; grub + stake2
Related formsgrub·stak·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for grubstake

Historical Examples

  • He used up his grubstake, got a second from his backers, and subsequently a third.

    When the West Was Young

    Frederick R. Bechdolt

  • "I want to give you a grubstake," answered the motor wizard.

  • He wrote the letters—to himself—and spread the news just to raise a grubstake.

  • Me, I got fo'-five chances to grubstake in that time, but I'm broke.

    Rimrock Trail

    J. Allan Dunn

  • They was always more'n one wantin' to grubstake him but he'd never take it.

    Rimrock Trail

    J. Allan Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for grubstake

grubstake

noun
  1. US and Canadian informal supplies provided for a prospector on the condition that the donor has a stake in any finds
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verb (tr)
  1. US informal to furnish with such supplies
  2. mainly US and Canadian to supply (a person) with a stake in a gambling game
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Derived Formsgrubstaker, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for grubstake

n.

"material, provisions, etc. supplied to an enterprise (originally a prospector) in return for a share in the profits," by 1876, American English, from grub + stake (v.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper