--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: IMPALE, v.t. In popular usage, to pierce…" description: "\"IMPALE, v.t. In popular usage, to pierce with any weapon which remains fixed in the wound . . . . properly, to put to death by thrusting an upright sha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/ambrose-bierce-140_body_impale-v-t-in-popular-usage-to-pierce-wi_1589760.jpg" --- # IMPALE, v.t. In popular usage, to pierce with any weapon… ![“IMPALE, v.t. In popular usage, to pierce with any weapon which remains fixed in the wound . . . . properly, to put to death by thrusting an upright sharp stake into the body, the victim being left in a sitting position.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/ambrose-bierce-140_body_impale-v-t-in-popular-usage-to-pierce-wi_1589760.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/ambrose-bierce-140_body_impale-v-t-in-popular-usage-to-pierce-wi_1589760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/ambrose-bierce-140_body_impale-v-t-in-popular-usage-to-pierce-wi_1589760.jpg) > “IMPALE, v.t. In popular usage, to pierce with any weapon which remains fixed in the wound . . . . properly, to put to death by thrusting an upright sharp stake into the body, the victim being left in a sitting position.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. To describe a method of execution by impaling, emphasizing the fixed, brutal nature of the act. **In simple terms:** Describes a brutal execution method. Key Takeaway Recognize the horror of violent language. Themes violence execution language Mood grim serious Type definition historical When to use this quote - historical analysis - crime writing - legal studies Key Concepts history law ethics Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape perception of violence? - Is graphic detail ever necessary? A Different Perspective May glorify or sensationalize violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Death Thrusting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-thrusting-6022292/) [Fixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed/) [Impale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impale-2469991/) [Impale Popular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impale-popular-6022290/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pierce/) [Pierce Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pierce-weapon-6022291/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remains/) [Sitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitting/) [Stakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stakes/) [Usage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usage/) [Victim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victim/) [Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapon/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [“He feels spikes everywhere and rushes to impale himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bowen/he-feels-spikes-everywhere-and-rushes-to-impale-himself/) [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) > [“ Rhett: If you've made up your mind to impale someone, do it with conviction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowena-cherry/rhett-if-you-ve-made-up-your-mind-to-impale-someone-do-it-with/) [Rowena Cherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowena-cherry/) > [A man is in no danger so long as he talks his love; but to write it is to impale himself on his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-william-jerrold/a-man-is-in-no-danger-so-long-as-he-talks-his-love-but-to-write-it-is/) [Douglas William Jerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-william-jerrold/) > [“If on the road of life you hit a big fork, you should try not to impale yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-r-paskoff/if-on-the-road-of-life-you-hit-a-big-fork-you-should-try-not-to/) [G. R. Paskoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-r-paskoff/) > [USAGE, n. The First Person of the literary Trinity, the Second and Third being Custom and Conventionality. Imbued with a decent reverence for this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/usage-n-the-first-person-of-the-literary-trinity-the-second-and-third/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Al's red eyes slid past me to Pierce. "Play?" he said, his voice dripping with interest. "Gordian Nathaniel Pierce's quirks are legendary. Why do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/al-s-red-eyes-slid-past-me-to-pierce-play-he-said-his-voice-dripping/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [I've been a fan of Wendell Pierce for a very long time. He was in one of my early movies and he brings such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-famuyiwa/i-ve-been-a-fan-of-wendell-pierce-for-a-very-long-time-he-was-in-one/) [Rick Famuyiwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-famuyiwa/) > [O may I join the choir invisible of those immortal dead who live again in minds made better by their presence; live in pulses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/o-may-i-join-the-choir-invisible-of-those-immortal-dead-who-live/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [ It was great fun working with Pierce \[Brosnan\]. He taught me a lot in terms of professionalism and how to take care of yourself… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-bracey/it-was-great-fun-working-with-pierce-brosnan-he-taught-me-a-lot-in/) [Luke Bracey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-bracey/) > [ Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron. Here is a book \[The Lord of the Rings\] which will break… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/here-are-beauties-which-pierce-like-swords-or-burn-like-cold-iron/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [If a close examination of the evidences of Christianity may be expected of one class of men more than another, it would seem incumbent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/if-a-close-examination-of-the-evidences-of-christianity-may-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [I really just drew off of where we are now, with reality TV. You can't help but see a lot of it. You choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-banks/i-really-just-drew-off-of-where-we-are-now-with-reality-tv-you-can-t/) [Elizabeth Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-banks/) > [Pierce Brosnan is a very sweet man. Oh, we had our issues, but a lot of it was hormones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zimbalist/pierce-brosnan-is-a-very-sweet-man-oh-we-had-our-issues-but-a-lot-of/) [Stephanie Zimbalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zimbalist/) > [I also hope that with the assistance and expertise of Dome Records, that I will be able to further pierce the UK and European…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-duke/i-also-hope-that-with-the-assistance-and-expertise-of-dome-records/) [George Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-duke/) > [People who pierce the veil of money rarely return with their faculties altogether intact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-patrick-moynihan/people-who-pierce-the-veil-of-money-rarely-return-with-their/) [Daniel Patrick Moynihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-patrick-moynihan/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. 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