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 have sexual intercourse with (a woman who is a virgin). [Middle English defilen, alteration (influenced by filen, to befoul, from Old English fȳlan; see p- in the Appendix of 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·filement n. de·filer n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.