defile

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Verb 1.2.1.1 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.1.1 Translations 1.3.1.2 See also 1.3.2 Verb 1.3.2.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -aɪl

[edit] Etymology 1

Middle English defilen, alteration of Middle English befilen "to defile, make foul" from Old English befȳlan "to befoul". Form influenced by Middle English defoulen, defoilen, "to trample on, abuse" from Old French defouler "to trample upon, violate". More at file, foul.

[edit] Verb

to defile (third-person singular simple present defiles, present participle defiling, simple past and past participle defiled)

1. (transitive) to make impure; to make dirty. Less strong than to pollute

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

Earlier defilee, French défilé, from défiler (“‘to march past’”) from file (“‘file’”).

[edit] Noun

defile (plural defiles)

1. A way or gorge so narrow that only one person at a time can pass.

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• glen

[edit] Verb

to defile (third-person singular simple present defiles, present participle defiling, simple past and past participle defiled)

1. (obsolete) (intransitive) To march in a single file.

[edit] Translations