Empale
/ɪmˈpeɪl/noun
To pierce or fix on a sharp stake; also, to enclose with a fence or palisade.
Did you know?Modern English *empale* merged two different historical words: one from Latin *impalare* (“to impale with a stake”), and one from Old French *empaler* / *pale* (“stake, palisade”), so its history is tied to both execution and enclosure.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
impalare
“to fix on a stake, to impale”
Old French
Old French
empaler
“to enclose with stakes; to stake through”
Middle English
English
empalen
“to surround with a fence or palisade”
16th Century
English
empale
“to enclose with stakes; to pierce with a stake”
Modern English
English
empale
“to pierce with a sharp stake; also, to enclose with a palisade”