impalement

== English == === Alternative forms === empalement (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle French empalement; equivalent to impale +‎ -ment. === Pronunciation === === Noun === impalement (countable and uncountable, plural impalements) The act of torturing or executing someone by impaling them on a sharp stake. (heraldry) The joining of two coats of arms on one shield. A space fenced in, such as by palings, possibly in the form of an enclosure or cup. (botany, obsolete) In the sense of an enclosure, the calyx of a flower. (In still older works, also spelt empalement.) ==== Translations ==== === References ===