Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Origin: pale 'limit' (15-18 centuries), from 'fence' (14-19 centuries), from 'pointed piece of wood driven into the ground' (14-20 centuries), from Old French pal, from Latin palus

pale

3 noun
     
pale3

beyond the pale

offensive or unacceptable:
His opinions are entirely beyond the pale.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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