de·file 1 (d -f l )tr.v. de·filed, de·fil·ing, de·files 1. To make filthy or dirty; pollute: defile a river with sewage. 2. To debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt: a country landscape that was defiled by urban sprawl. 3. To profane or sully (a reputation, for example). 4. To make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate: defile a temple. 5. To violate the chastity of.
[Middle English defilen, alteration (influenced by filen, to befoul, from Old English f lan; see p - in Indo-European roots) of defoulen, to trample on, abuse, pollute, from Old French defouler, to trample, full cloth : de-, de- + fouler, to trample, beat down; see full2.]
de·file ment n. de·fil er n. de·fil ing·ly adv. |
de·file 2 (d -f l )intr.v. de·filed, de·fil·ing, de·files To march in single file or in files or columns. n.1. A narrow gorge or pass that restricts lateral movement, as of troops. 2. A march in a line.
[French défiler : dé-, away, off (from Old French de-; see de-) + file, line, file (from Old French filer, to spin thread, march in line; see file1). N., from French défilé, from past participle of défiler.] |
defile 1 Verb [-filing, -filed] 1. to make foul or dirty 2. to make unfit for ceremonial use [Old French defouler to trample underfoot, abuse] defilement n defile 2 Noun a narrow pass or gorge: the sandy defile of Wadi Rum [French défiler to file off]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | defile - a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)mountain pass, notch, pass - the location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks; "we got through the pass before it started to snow" | | Verb | 1. | defile - place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation" | | 2. | defile - make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man"blob, fleck, blot, spot - make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth" darken - tarnish or stain; "a scandal that darkened the family's good name" | | 3. | defile - spot, stain, or pollute; "The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it" |
defile
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