PALEWISE Meaning and
Definition
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Palewise is an adverb used primarily in the field of heraldry, but can also be applied in certain contexts in geography and anatomy. In heraldry, it describes the orientation of a charge or a depiction on a coat of arms, whereby the charge or object is displayed in an upright position with its longer axis running vertically. This means that the top of the charge always faces towards the top of the shield, while the bottom points downwards. The term "palewise" derives from the noun "pale," which is a vertical stripe present on a shield.
When applied to geography or anatomy, "palewise" denotes a similar notion of something being oriented in a vertical position. In geography, it might refer to the visual representation of a geographic feature on a map, where the elongation of the feature runs vertically. In anatomy, "palewise" could be used to describe the alignment or arrangement of certain body parts or structures, such as bones or muscles, which align vertically.
Overall, "palewise" indicates a vertical direction, or the position of an object with its elongation running from top to bottom, reflecting the original heraldic usage of the term.
Common Misspellings for PALEWISE
Etymology of PALEWISE
The word "palewise" is actually a combination of two separate terms: "pale" and "wise".
1. "Pale": In this context, "pale" refers to a heraldic term. A pale is a vertical stripe or band that runs from top to bottom on a coat of arms or a flag. It is one of the principal ordinaries, which are geometric charges used in heraldry. The term "pale" originates from Middle English "paale" and Old French "pal", both derived from the Latin word "palus" meaning "stake" or "pole".
2. "Wise": The word "wise" in this context means "in a particular manner" or "in a specific direction". It is often used as a suffix, such as in "clockwise" or "counterclockwise".
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