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