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ante

1 ante /ˈænti/ noun
plural antes
1 ante
/ˈænti/
noun
plural antes
Britannica Dictionary definition of ANTE
[count]
: the amount of money that a player must bet at the beginning of play in a poker game usually singular see also penny-ante

raise the ante

or up the ante
: to increase an amount or level: such as
: to raise the cost or price
: to increase the risk or possible harm that could result from something often + on
: to set a higher standard or goal often + on
2 ante /ˈænti/ verb
antes; anted; anteing
2 ante
/ˈænti/
verb
antes; anted; anteing
Britannica Dictionary definition of ANTE
: to pay the amount of money required to start play in a poker game
[no object]
usually + up
[+ object]
often used figuratively