1. v.tr.
1. make dirty; pollute, befoul.
2 corrupt.
3 desecrate, profane.
4 deprive (esp. a woman) of virginity.
5 make ceremonially unclean.
Derivatives:
defilement n. defiler n.
Etymology: ME defoul f. OF defouler trample down, outrage (as DE-, fouler tread, trample) altered after obs. befile f. OE befylan (BE-, ful FOUL) 2. n. & v.
--n. also 1 a narrow way through which troops can only march in file.
2 a gorge.
--v.intr. march in file.
Etymology: F d{eacute}filer and d{eacute}fil{eacute} past part. (as DE-, FILE(2))