grubstake

American  

[gruhb-steyk] / ˈgrʌbˌsteɪk /

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)

grubstaked, grubstaking

1. to furnish with a grubstake.

   I grubstaked him to two mules and supplies enough for five months.

grubstake British  

/ ˈɡrʌbˌsteɪk /

noun

1. informal supplies provided for a prospector on the condition that the donor has a stake in any finds

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verb

1. informal to furnish with such supplies

2. to supply (a person) with a stake in a gambling game

Other Word Forms

• grubstaker noun

Etymology

Origin of grubstake

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; grub + stake ²

Example Sentences

Small-time investors already have fled, their grubstakes or life savings decimated.

From Washington Post

Both, as it happens, were attributes prized by Charles Lewis Tiffany, who helped found a store that sold stationery and fancy goods in 1837 with a $1,000 grubstake from his father.

From New York Times

He told Westerberg he planned on staying until April 15, just long enough to put together a grubstake.

From Literature

Presently, in fact, he was putting together a grubstake to pick up a furniture set at a one-day clearance sale.

From New York Times

The resulting income, the firm hopes, will provide it with the grubstake it needs to move on to the big prize: titanium.

From Economist