defile

¹ American  

[dih-fahyl] / dɪˈfaɪl /

verb (used with object)

defiled, defiling

1. to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.

2. to make impure for ceremonial use; desecrate.

3. to sully, as a person's reputation.

4. Archaic. to violate the chastity of.

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defile ² American  

[dih-fahyl, dee-fahyl] / dɪˈfaɪl, ˈdi faɪl /

noun

1. any narrow passage, especially between mountains.

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verb (used without object)

defiled, defiling

1. to march in a line or by files.

defile ¹ British  

/ dɪˈfaɪl /

verb

1. to make foul or dirty; pollute

2. to tarnish or sully the brightness of; taint; corrupt

3. to damage or sully (someone's good name, reputation, etc)

4. to make unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate

5. to violate the chastity of

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defile ² British  

/ ˈdiːfaɪl, dɪˈfaɪl /

noun

1. a narrow pass or gorge, esp one between two mountains

2. a single file of soldiers, etc

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verb

1. military to march or cause to march in single file

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” ( see 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; see defilade

Explanation

When you defile something, you make it dirty or make it lose its purity. Think of a snowy field in which someone has tossed their old cans and wrappers. The litter defiles the winter wonderland. For something to be defiled, it first must be pure. You can't defile a garbage dump or a messy room. Defile is often used in a religious context. If you were to burn a copy of the Bible or spray-paint the walls of a church, it could be said that you defiled the holy book or place.

Example Sentences

My grandmother Defile who died with a bald head in a prison, because God had given her wings.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Often the book was kept within his cot, At times lay next his heart, nor did its beat Defile the fruity knowledge on the leaves.

From Stories in Verse by Abbey, Henry

There are the "Occupation of the Defile of Teniah," "Combat of the Habrah, of the Sickak, of Samah, of Afzoum."

From Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art, (Vol. 2 of 3) by Spooner, Shearjashub

"Defile not by a touch the armor of the most brave knight-errant that ever wore a sword."

From Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12) Classic Tales and Old-Fashioned Stories by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

Defile not your tongues with cursing or execrating anyone, and guard your eyes from that which is not worthy.

From Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by Esslemont, J. E. (John Ebenezer)

Related Words

• besmirch
• debase
• degrade
• desecrate
• discolor
• dishonor
• sully
• vitiate