Ante

/ˈæn.teɪ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A stake or amount of money that a player must put into the pot before playing in poker and related card games.

Before the game started, each player was required to put an ante of five dollars into the pot.

In a legal context, an ante refers to a sum of money put up by one party in a lawsuit, particularly in habeas corpus cases.

The plaintiff had to post an ante to proceed with the legal challenge against the government.

preposition

Before; in front of.

The ancient civilizations often built their temples ante the mountains.

From Latin 'ante', meaning 'before'.

put up an ante

To make an initial contribution to a game or situation.

ante up

To contribute money, especially in a gambling context.

antebellum

Referring to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.

antecedent

A thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

To ante up

I had to ante up five bucks to join the game.

Ante it up

If you want to play, you need to ante it up.