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impale

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impale

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 pale2 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

Listen to the pronunciation of impalement

\-mənt\ noun

— im·pal·er

Listen to the pronunciation of impaler

\-ˈpā-lər\ noun

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