Stairwell

n. shaft for a staircase. stake’ n. 1 stout sharpened stick driven into the ground as a support, boundary mark, etc. 2 hist. a post to which a condemned person was tied to be burnt alive. b (prec. by the) such death as a punishment. v. (king) 1 secure or support with a stake or stakes. 2 (foil. by off, out) mark off (an area) with stakes. 3 establish (a claim). o stake out colloq. place under surveillance. [Old English]