Main Entry:

¹de·file

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈfī(-ə)l, dē-\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

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