Search the Dictionary

ale; 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.

The act of impaling, or the state of being impaled. Byron.

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.

Same as Impalement.

Having some object, as the head of a man or beast, impaled upon it; as, a sword which is said to be "enfiled of" the thing which it pierces.

to display the arms of the bearer's wife; -- not commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. Impalement.

orthern shrike (L. borealis), and several others, kill mice, small birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that account called also butcher birds. See under Butcher.

To thrust a spit through; to fix upon a spit; hence, to thrust through or impale; as, to spit a loin of veal. "Infants spitted upon pikes." Shak.

To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale; as, to stick an apple on a fork.

To pierce through, as with a pointed weapon; to impale; as, to transfix one with a dart.

motion. He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod. J. Fletcher. I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out of one element into another. Walpole.