The word "paling" is pronounced /ˈpeɪ.lɪŋ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is a noun that refers to a fence made of pointed stakes driven into the ground. The spelling of this word is derived from the Middle Dutch word "palen," which means to drive stakes. The "a" in "paling" is pronounced as an "ay" sound, followed by an "l" pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth, and ending with the "ing" sound pronounced with a soft "n" sound.
Paling is a noun that refers to a type of fence made of upright wooden or metal stakes that are connected horizontally. It is typically used to enclose an area or to provide a boundary or barrier. The stakes, known as pales, are usually evenly spaced apart and firmly driven into the ground. The connecting horizontal bars or rails, known as runners, are either nailed or fastened onto the pales to provide additional stability and structure.
Paling fences are commonly found in various settings, including residential properties, gardens, parks, and agricultural areas. They are relatively simple and cost-effective to construct, making them a popular choice for enclosing and demarcating spaces. In addition to their functional roles, paling fences can also serve aesthetic purposes, as they can be painted or stained to match the surrounding environment or to enhance the overall appearance.
The term "paling" can also be used as a verb, which means to become or make pale. In this context, it refers to the act or process of losing color, becoming lighter or less intense. This can be related to the complexion of a person's skin, resulting from factors such as illness, shock, fear, or lack of vitality. It can also describe the fading or diminishing of colors in an object or painting, resulting from exposure to sunlight, aging, or other external factors.
• Enclosing with pales.
• A fence or barrier formed with pales; the materials for erecting a fence or barrier of pales.
• See pale, a stake.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "paling" has its origins in Middle English and Old English. It comes from the Old English word "pal", which means a wooden stake used for fencing or as a boundary marker. This term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "paliz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "pel", both of which have the general meaning of "stake" or "post". Over time, "pal" evolved into "pale" and eventually became "paling" in Middle English.