transitive verb defiled -·filed′, defiling -·fil′·ing

1. to make filthy or dirty; pollute
2. to make ceremonially unclean
3. to corrupt
4. to profane or sully (as a person's name)
5. Archaic to violate the chastity of; deflower

Etymology: ME defilen, altered (by assoc. with filen, to make foul < OE fylan < ful, foul) < defoulen < OFr defouler, to tread underfoot, insult < de-, intens. + fouler < ML fullare, to tread, full

intransitive verb defiled -·filed′, defiling -·fil′·ing

Etymology: Fr défiler, to file off, unravel < dé- (L de), from + filer, to form a line < fil, thread: see file

noun

1. a narrow passage through which troops must defile
2. any narrow valley or mountain pass
3. a march in single file or by files

Etymology: Fr défilé < the v.