ETYM French piquet, properly dim. of pique spear, pike. Related to Pike, Piquet.
1. A detachment of troops guarding an army from surprise attack.
2. A protester posted by a labor organization outside a place of work.
3. A vehicle performing sentinel duty.
4. A wooden strip forming part of a fence; SYN. pale.

ETYM AS. staca, from the root of Eng. stick; akin to OFries. and LG. stake, Dutch staak, Swed. stake, Dan. stage. Related to Stick, Estacade, Stockade.
(Homonym: steak).
1. A vertical post that a victim is tied to for execution by burning.
2. The money risked on a gamble; SYN. stakes, bet, wager.