defile
1[ dih-fahyl ]
/ dɪˈfaɪl /
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verb (used with object), de·filed, de·fil·ing.
to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.
to violate the chastity of.
to make impure for ceremonial use; desecrate.
to sully, as a person's reputation.
QUIZZES
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of defile
11275–1325; Middle English defilen, defelen, alteration of defoilen (by association with filen to file3) <Anglo-French, Old French defouler to trample on, violate; compare Old English befȳlan to befoul
OTHER WORDS FROM defile
Words nearby defile
deficit financing, deficit spending, de fide, defier, defilade, defile, define, defined, defined-benefit, definiendum, definiens
Definition for defile (2 of 2)
defile2
[ dih-fahyl, dee-fahyl ]
/ dɪˈfaɪl, ˈdi faɪl /
noun
any narrow passage, especially between mountains.
verb (used without object), de·filed, de·fil·ing.
to march in a line or by files.
Origin of defile
2Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for defile
British Dictionary definitions for defile (1 of 2)
defile1
/ (dɪˈfaɪl) /
verb (tr)
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
Derived forms of defile
defilement, noundefiler, nounWord Origin for defile
C14: from earlier defoilen (influenced by filen to file ³), from Old French defouler to trample underfoot, abuse, from de- + fouler to tread upon; see full ²
British Dictionary definitions for defile (2 of 2)
defile2
/ (ˈdiːfaɪl, dɪˈfaɪl) /
noun
a narrow pass or gorge, esp one between two mountains
a single file of soldiers, etc
verb
mainly military to march or cause to march in single file
Word Origin for defile
C17: from French défilé, from défiler to file off, from filer to march in a column, from Old French: to spin, from fil thread, from Latin fīlum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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