palings
UK: ˈpeɪlɪŋz | US: ˈpeɪlɪŋz
n. a fence made of pointed wooden or metal stakes
n. the stakes used in such a fence
palings = pale<stake> + ing<present participle> + s<plural>
- pale (from Old French pal, from Latin palus meaning "stake, post")
- ing (suffix forming present participles or nouns denoting materials/collections)
- s (plural marker)
Etymology Origin:
The word "palings" traces back to the Latin palus (stake), which entered Old French as pal. In Middle English, "pale" referred to a stake or boundary marker. The suffix "-ing" was added to form a collective noun (e.g., "roofing," "flooring"), and the plural "-s" denotes multiple fence stakes. The term vividly reflects its functional roots in fencing and demarcation.
The farmer replaced the broken palings along the pasture.
A row of weathered palings marked the property line.
She leaned against the palings, watching the sunset.
The storm knocked down several palings in the fence.
They used oak palings for durability and a rustic look.