defile
1 Americannoun
verb (used without object)
verb
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to make foul or dirty; pollute
-
to tarnish or sully the brightness of; taint; corrupt
-
to damage or sully (someone's good name, reputation, etc)
-
to make unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate
-
to violate the chastity of
noun
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a narrow pass or gorge, esp one between two mountains
-
a single file of soldiers, etc
verb
Other Word Forms
- defilable adjective
- defilement noun
- defiler noun
- defilingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of defile1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English defilen, defelen, alteration of defoilen (by association with filen “to defile” ( file 3 ), from Anglo-French, Old French defouler “to trample on, violate”; compare Old English befȳlan “to befoul”
Origin of defile2
1675–85; < French défilé, noun use of past participle of défiler to file off; defilade
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As mixed as I am on the film itself, I appreciate that the Academy is embracing not just a horror movie, but a gleeful Grand Guignol that defiles the Walk of Fame twice.
From Los Angeles Times
Some Parisians backed the move, but others - including heritage campaigners - said it was a bad idea and would "defile" the French capital's iconic monument.
From BBC
In his resignation letter, he said the CCC had been "defiled", accusing the ruling Zanu-PF party of being behind the move - allegations it denied.
From BBC
“But we continue with the tradition of protecting the forest because our ancestors have told us not to defile the forest.”
From Seattle Times
The Seleucids captured the holy Temple of Jerusalem and defiled it by erecting an altar to the Greek god Zeus inside.
From National Geographic
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
