empale Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb pierce with a sharp stake or point
    impale; spike; transfix.
    • impale a shrimp on a skewer

WordNet

Em*pale" transitive verb
Etymology
Pref. em- (L. in) + pale: cf. OF. empalir.
Definitions
  1. To make pale. Obs.
    No bloodless malady empales their face. G. Fletcher.
Em*pale" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. empaler to palisade, pierce, F. empaler to punish by empalement; pref. em- (L. in) + OF. & F. pal a pale, stake. See Pale a stake, and cf. Impale.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Empaled ; present participle & verbal noun Empaling
Definitions
  1. To fence or fortify with stakes; to surround with a line of stakes for defense; to impale.
    All that dwell near enemies empale villages, to save themselves from surprise. Sir W. Raleigh.
  2. To inclose; to surround. See Impale.
  3. To put to death by thrusting a sharpened stake through the body.
  4. (Her.) Same as Impale.

Webster 1913