Webster's English Dictionary

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sweepstakes

sweep.stakes also sweep.stake \-.sta-ks\ \-.sta-k\ n [ME swepestake one who 
   wins all the stakes in a game, fr. swepen to] pl but sing or pl in constr  
   sweep + stake 1a: a race or contest in which the entire prize may be 
   awarded to the winne r; specif : a horse race in which the stakes are made 
   up at least in part of the entry fees or other money contributed by the 
   owners of the horses 1b: CONTEST, COMPETITION  2: any of various lotteries