I. də̇ˈfīl, dēˈ-, esp before pause or consonant -īəl transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English defilen, alteration (influenced by Middle English filen to defile) of defoulen to trample on, violate sexually, defile, from Old French defoler, defouler to trample on, mistreat, from de- + foler, fouler to trample on, literally, to full (as cloth) — more at full (to thicken), file (to defile)
1. : to make filthy : dirty , befoul
they that touch pitch will be defiled — Shakespeare
2. : to corrupt the purity or perfection of : debase
not even a tent defiling the primeval splendor — R.L.Neuberger
3. : to rob of chastity : ravish , violate
4. : to make ceremonially unclean : pollute
defile the temple
5. : tarnish , dishonor
defiled his memory with slander
Synonyms: see contaminate
II. “, ˈdēˌf- intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French défiler, from dé- de- (from Old French de-, des- ) + filer to move in a column or columns (as of troops), from Old French, to spin, from Late Latin filare, from Latin filum thread — more at file (row)
: to march off or pass along in a line : file off
III. like defile II noun
( -s )
Etymology: French défilé, from past participle of défiler
1. : a narrow passage in which troops can march only in a file or with a narrow front
2. : a long narrow pass (as between hills, rocks, or cliffs)