~ 1 [ dɪ'fʌɪl ]
■ verb sully, mar, or spoil.
↘desecrate or profane (something sacred).
↘ archaic rape or sexually assault (a woman).
Derivatives
~ment noun
~r noun
Origin
ME: alt. of obs. defoul , from OFr. defouler 'trample down', influenced by obs. befile 'befoul, ~'.
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~ 2 [ dɪ'fʌɪl ]
■ noun also 'di:fʌɪl a steep-sided narrow gorge or passage (originally one requiring troops to march in single file).
■ verb archaic (of troops) march in single file.
Origin
C17: from Fr. défilé (n.), défiler (v.), from dé 'away from' + file 'column, file'.