Main Entry: ¹pale

Pronunciation: \ˈpāl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole

Date: 12th century

1 archaic : palisade, paling
2 a : one of the stakes of a palisade b : picket
3 a : a space or field having bounds : enclosure b : a territory or district within certain bounds or under a particular jurisdiction
4 : an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure) <conduct that was beyond the pale>
5 : a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield