Main Entry: im·pale

Pronunciation: \im-ˈpāl\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): im·paled; im·pal·ing

Etymology: Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French empaler, from Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- + palus stake — more at pole

Date: 1605

1 : to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield divided vertically by a pale
2 a : to pierce with or as if with something pointed; especially : to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake b : to fix in an inescapable or helpless position

— im·pale·ment \-mənt\ noun

— im·pal·er \-ˈpā-lər\ noun