impalement

noun4

1. •
   The act of torturing or executing someone by impaling them on a sharp stake.
2. •
   The joining of two coats of arms on one shield.
3. •
   A space fenced in, such as by palings, possibly in the form of an enclosure or cup.
4. •
   (no longer used) In the sense of an enclosure, the calyx of a flower. (In still older works, also spelt empalement.)

   • The parts of fructification are seven in number... The First part is the calyx, impalement, or flower cup. — 1823