impale

动词 impale:

1. pierce with a sharp stake or point
   同义词：transfix, empale, spike
2. kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole
   同义词：stake

1. In former times, prisoners' heads were impaled on pointed stakes.
   从前的人把监犯的头钉在尖桩上。

im.pale

v.tr.（及物动词）
im.paled,im.pal.ing,im.pales

To pierce with a sharp stake or point.
刺穿，刺住：用尖桩或尖物刺穿
To torture or kill by impaling.
对…施刺刑：用刺的方法折磨或杀死
To render helpless as if by impaling.
使陷入困境：好象通过刺使陷于无助的境地

来源：
Medieval Latin imp3l3re
中世纪拉丁语 imp3l3re
Latin in- [in] * see in- 2
拉丁语 in- [在…里面] *参见 in-2
Latin p3lus [stake] * see pag-
拉丁语 p3lus [柱，桩] *参见 pag-

【引伸】
impale.ment
n.（名词）
impal.er
n.（名词）