WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Im*pale"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [See 2d Empale.]
Definition : 1. To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale. Then with what life remains, impaled, and left To writhe at leisure round the bloody stake. Addison.

2. To inclose, as with pales or stakes; to surround. Impale him with your weapons round about. Shak. Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire. Milton.

3. (Her.)

Defn: To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention. Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof. Fuller.

t. [imp. & p. p. Impaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Impaling.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913