IMPALEMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does impalement mean? 

• IMPALEMENT (noun)
  The noun IMPALEMENT has 1 sense:

1. the act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture

  Familiarity information: IMPALEMENT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMPALEMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("impalement" is a kind of...):

cruelty; inhuman treatment (a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering)

Derivation:

impale (pierce with a sharp stake or point)

impale (kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole)

 Context examples 

It touches the question of dimidiation or impalement in the coat of mine uncle, Sir John Leighton of Shropshire, who took unto wife the widow of Sir Henry Oglander of Nunwell.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)