释义 |
de·file I. \də̇ˈfīl, dēˈ-, esp before pause or consonant -īəl\ transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English defilen, alteration (influenced by Middle English filen to defile) of defoulen to trample on, violate sexually, defile, from Old French defoler, defouler to trample on, mistreat, from de- + foler, fouler to trample on, literally, to full (as cloth) — more at full (to thicken), file (to defile) 1. : to make filthy : dirty, befoul < they that touch pitch will be defiled — Shakespeare > 2. : to corrupt the purity or perfection of : debase < not even a tent defiling the primeval splendor — R.L.Neuberger > 3. : to rob of chastity : ravish, violate 4. : to make ceremonially unclean : pollute < defile the temple > 5. : tarnish, dishonor < defiled his memory with slander > Synonyms: see contaminate II. \“, ˈdēˌf-\ intransitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: French défiler, from dé- de- (from Old French de-, des-) + filer to move in a column or columns (as of troops), from Old French, to spin, from Late Latin filare, from Latin filum thread — more at file (row) : to march off or pass along in a line : file off III. \like defile II\ noun (-s) Etymology: French défilé, from past participle of défiler 1. : a narrow passage in which troops can march only in a file or with a narrow front 2. : a long narrow pass (as between hills, rocks, or cliffs) |