transitive verb impaled -·paled′, impaling -·pal′·ing

1. Rare to surround with or as with a palisade
2. 1. to pierce through with, or fix on, something pointed; transfix
   2. to punish or torture by fixing on a stake
3. to make helpless, as if fixed on a stake impaled by her glance
4. Heraldry to join (two coats of arms) side by side on one shield

Etymology: Fr empaler < ML impalare < L in-, on + palus, a stake, pole