a little pointed stake or piece of wood, used in making inclosures, separations, &c. The pale was an instrument of punishment and execution among the ancient Romans, and still continues so among the Turks. Hence empaling, the passing a sharp pale up the fundament through the body.

in heraldry, one of the honourable ordinaries of an escutcheon; being the representation of a pale or stake placed upright, and comprehending the whole height of the coat from the top of the chief to the point. When the pale is single, it is to contain one third of the breadth of the shield. See Plate CXXXIV, fig. 7.