Word Frequency
impale or empale (ɪmˈpeɪl
)
Definitions
verb
- often foll by on, upon, or with to pierce with a sharp instrument ⇒
they impaled his severed head on a spear
- (archaic) to enclose with pales or fencing; fence in
- (heraldry) to charge (a shield) with two coats of arms placed side by side
Derived Forms
imˈpalement, emˈpalement nounimˈpaler, emˈpaler noun
Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin impālāre, from Latin im- (in) + pāluspale²Example Sentences Including 'impale'
A timely reminder of Burns's Celtic, forever charging forward to impale themselves on Smith's Rangers perhaps?Times, Sunday Times (2004)
But no, he in his wisdom had chosen to impale himself on the blunt dagger of black market gas ration stamps.AMAGANSETT (2004)
Good job she's short so hopefully won't impale herself immediately.AND GOD CREATED THE AU PAIR (2005)
He'd also found gates fifteen feet high, with wrought-iron spikes on top that would probably impale him if he tried to get over them.Doll's Eyes
The tusks are used to impale , the knees to crush, the trunk to rend.Into Africa - a social history of the East African Safari
To catch and impale fish on a treble hook in the hope of a pike attacking the specimen is barbaric.Sun, News of the World (2001)
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