Definition of impale

The word "impale" has origins in the Middle Ages, where it was used to describe a brutal method of punishment and execution. This savage practice involved inserting a pole, stake, or spear through the body of a living person as a form of torture or punishment for committing a crime or showing disrespect to the ruling authorities. The Latin word "palus," meaning "stake" or "pole," served as a foundation for the origin of the word "impale." In some languages, such as Romanian, Hungarian, and Slovak, the modern-day term for this method of punishment also stems from the Latin root. In these languages, it's spelled "sapat," "kopascikal," and "pisat'," respectively. In English, the word "impale" originated around the 14th century and emerged from the Middle English verb "impellen," which incorporated the Latin word "palus" into its formation. "Impellen" translates to "to pierce through" or "to penetrate with a stake or pole." The rich history behind the word "impale" serves as a chilling reminder of the barbaric punishments that were once inflicted on human beings, raising questions concerning the development of such brutal practices and how we, as a society, have evolved since then to become more compassionate and just.