grubstake en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
From grub + stake.
Meanings
-
Money, materials, tools, food etc. provided to a prospector in return for a share in future profits.
I've been through hell. The other three are all at work and healthy, getting grub-stake to prospect up White River this winter.
1918, Jack London, Like Argus of the Ancient Times:
- An amount of money advanced to someone starting a business in return for a share of the future profits.
-
Money, necessities stockpiled to sustain an effort for a period of time.
No one however should go to this country intending to mine without taking with him a year's supplies commonly known as a grub stake or its money equivalent about $1,000.
1903, U.S. Geological Survey professional paper, page 35:However, each of these words might, on occasion, be used in a different sense, [...], "grub-stake" to denote one's food supply, regardless of how obtained.
1936, Philip Ashton Rollins, The Cow Boy: An Unconventional History of Civilization on the Old-time, page 34:The resulting income, the firm hopes, will provide it with the grubstake it needs to move on to the big prize: titanium.
2013, The Economist, Manufacturing metals: a tantalizing prospect:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| grub-stake | alternative | lexicographic | |
| grubstakes | Number=Plur | lexicographic |