I. di-ˈfī(-ə)l, dē- transitive verb
( de·filed ; de·fil·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (influenced by filen to defile, from Old English fȳlan ) of defoilen to trample, defile, from Anglo-French defoiller, defuler, to trample, from de- + fuller, foller to trample, literally, to full — more at full
Date: 14th century
: to make unclean or impure: as
a. : to corrupt the purity or perfection of : debase
the countryside defiled by billboards
b. : to violate the chastity of : deflower
c. : to make physically unclean especially with something unpleasant or contaminating
boots defiled with blood
d. : to violate the sanctity of : desecrate
defile a sanctuary
e. : sully , dishonor
Synonyms: see contaminate
• de·file·ment -ˈfī(-ə)l-mənt noun
• de·fil·er -ˈfī-lər noun
II. di-ˈfī(-ə)l, ˈdē-ˌfī(-ə)l noun
Etymology: French défilé, from past participle of défiler
Date: 1685
: a narrow passage or gorge
III. di-ˈfī(-ə)l, ˈdē-ˌfī(-ə)l intransitive verb
( de·filed ; de·fil·ing )
Etymology: French défiler, from dé- de- + filer to move in a column — more at file
Date: 1705
: to march off in a line