Defile
Defile (de*fīl") , intransitive verb
[French défiler; pref. dé-, for des- (Latin dis-) + file a row or line. See File a row.]
To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
Defile , transitive verb
(Military) Same as Defilade.
Defile (de*fīl" or dē"fīl; 277) , noun
[Compare French défilé, from 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.
(Military) The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.
Defile (de*fīl") , transitive verb
[Old English defoulen, -foilen, to tread down, Old French defouler; de- + fouler to trample (see Full, transitive verb), and Old English 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.
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.
3.
To injure in purity of character; to corrupt.
Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt.
4.
To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate; to rape.
The husband murder'd and the wife defiled.
5.
To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile therewith.