Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Defile
De-file′
(dē̍-fīl′)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Defiled
(dē̍-fīld′)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Defiling
.] To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
De-file′
(dē̍-fīl′ or dē′fīl; 277)
, Noun.
[Cf. F.
défilé
, fr. défiler
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′
(dē̍-fīl′)
, Verb.
T.
1.
To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute.
They that touch pitch will be
defiled
. Shakespeare
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; to rape.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Defile
DEFILE
, v.t.1.
To make unclean; to render foul or dirty; in a general sense.2.
To make impure; to render turbid; as, the water or liquor is defiled.3.
To soil or sully; to tarnish; as reputation, &c.He is among the greatest prelates of the age, however his character may be defiled by dirty hands.
They shall defile thy brightness. Ezek. 28.
4.
To pollute; to make ceremonially unclean.That which dieth of itself, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith. Lev. 22.
5.
To corrupt chastity; to debauch; to violate; to tarnish the purity of character by lewdness.Schechem defiled Dinah. Gen. 34.
6.
To taint, in a moral sense; to corrupt; to vitiate; to render impure with sin.Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. Ezek. 20.
He hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. Numb. 19.
DEFILE
,Verb.
I.
DEFILE
,Noun.