Category:Defile

De*file", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Defiling.] Etym: [F. défiler; pref. dé-, for des- (L. dis-) + file a row or line. See File a row.]

Defn: To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.

defile De*file", v. t. (Mil.)

Defn: Same as Defilade.

defile De*file", n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.

defile De*file", v. t. Etym: [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.