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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
de file1 /d??fa?l/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-fahyl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object), -filed, -fil ing.
1. to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.
2. to violate the chastity of.
3. to make impure for ceremonial use; desecrate.
4. to sully, as a person's reputation.
[Origin: 1275–1325; ME defilen, defelen, alter. of defoilen (by assoc. with filen to file3) < AF, OF defouler to trample on, violate; cf. OE to befoul]

—Related forms
de fil a ble, adjective
de file ment, noun
de fil er, noun
de fil ing ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
de file 1 (di(-fi-l') Pronunciation Key
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 fy-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]

de file'ment n., de fil'er n., de fil'ing ly adv.

noun
the state of being polluted [syn: befoulment]