Lexic.us

Definition of Impale

1. Verb. Pierce with a sharp stake or point. "Impale a shrimp on a skewer"

2. Verb. Kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole. "They want to impale the prisoners "; "The enemies were impaled and left to die"

Definition of Impale

1. v. t. To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale.

Definition of Impale

1. Verb. to pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. ¹

2. Verb. more generally, to pierce (something) with any long, pointed object. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Impale

1. to pierce with a pointed object [v -PALED, -PALING, -PALES]

Medical Definition of Impale

1. 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. 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) Origin: See Empale. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Impale

impaired impaired glucose tolerance impairedness impaireds impairer impairers impairing impairment impairments impairs

impala impala lily impalas impalatable impalation impale (current term) impaled impalement impalements impaler

impalers impales impaling impalla impallas impallid impallided impalliding impallids impalm

Literary usage of Impale

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Glossary: Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, Thomas Wright (1901)
"Acting like « Two equal rows of orient pearl impale The open throat, which, quern-like, grinding small Th' imperfect food, ..."

2. Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet by Evariste Régis Huc (1857)
"... ANSELM TO THE CAMP OF THE TARTARS IN PERSIA. — INTERVIEW OF THE FRENCH MISSIONARIES WITH THE TARTAR OFFICERS. — PROPOSAL TO FLAT AND impale THEM. ..."

3. The Poetical Works of Coleridge, Shelley, and Keats: Complete in One Volume by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats (1829)
"... No infidel children to impale on spears? Whose shrieks and spasme and tears they may enjoy? No hoary priests after that patriarch' Which clove his own ..."

4. The New Africa: A Journey Up the Chobe and Down the Okovanga Rivers; a by Aurel Schulz, August Hammar (1897)
"... road to Victoria falls—Nearly impale myself on assegai—Victoria falls—Trade with natives for food and tobacco—Compare Victoria falls with Niagara falls. ..."

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