Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Defile?

\De*file"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Defiled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defiling}.] [F. d['e]filer; pref. d['e]-, for des- (L. dis-) + file a row or line. See {File} a row.] To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
\De*file"\, v. t. (Mil.) Same as {Defilade}.
\De*file"\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. d['e]fil['e], fr. d['e]filer to defile.] 1. Any narrow passage or gorge in which troops can march only in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass between hills, rocks, etc. 2. (Mil.) The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See {Defilade}.
\De*file"\, v. t. [OE. defoulen, -foilen, to tread down, OF. defouler; de- + fouler to trample (see {Full}, v. t.), and OE. defoulen to foul (influenced in form by the older verb defoilen). See {File} to defile, {Foul}, {Defoul}.] 1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute. They that touch pitch will be defiled. --Shak. 2. To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint. He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age, however his character may be defiled by . . . dirty hands. --Swift. 3. To injure in purity of character; to corrupt. Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. --Ezek. xx. 7. 4. To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate. The husband murder'd and the wife defiled. --Prior. 5. To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute. That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile therewith. --Lev. xxii. 8.