Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » impale
impale
The definition of impale is to pierce with a pointed object.
(verb)When an animal's head is stuck onto a stake, this is an example of impale.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.
See impale in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb impaled, impaling
- Rare to surround with or as with a palisade
- to pierce through with, or fix on, something pointed; transfix
- to punish or torture by fixing on a stake
- to make helpless, as if fixed on a stake: impaled by her glance
- Heraldry to join (two coats of arms) side by side on one shield
Origin: Fr empaler < ML impalare < L in-, on + palus, a stake, pole
Related Forms:
- impalement noun
See impale in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb im·paled also em·paled, im·pal·ing also em·pal·ing, im·pales also em·pales
- a. To pierce with a sharp stake or point.b. To torture or kill by impaling.
- To render helpless as if by impaling.
Origin:
Origin: Medieval Latin impālāre
Origin: : Latin in-, in; see in-2
Origin: + Latin pālus, stake; see pag- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- im·paleˈment noun
- im·palˈer noun
Learn more about impale
