grubstake
verbEtymology From grub + stake.
1
To supply such funds to.
- "Nobody grub-stakes me," was the answer. "I stake myself, and when I make a killing it's sure all mine. [...] "1910, Jack London, Burning Daylight, part 1 chapter 3:
grubstake
nounEtymology From grub + stake.
1
Business, Mining 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:
2
Business An amount of money advanced to someone starting a business in return for a share of the future profits.
3
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:
1 more example
- 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: