Defile, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Defiling.] — Webster enters it under “defile”
Etymology: [F. défiler; pref. dé-, for des- (L. dis-) + file a row or line. See File a row.]
To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
Defile, v. t. (Mil.)
Same as Defilade.
Defile, n.
1. Any narrow passage or gorge in which troops can march only in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass between hills, rocks, etc.
2. (Mil.)
The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.
Defile, v. t.
1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute. They that touch pitch will be defiled. Shak.
2. To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint. He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age, however his character may be defiled by . . . dirty hands. Swift.
3. To injure in purity of character; to corrupt. Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. Ezek. xx. 7.
4. To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate. The husband murder'd and the wife defiled. Prior.
5. To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute. That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile therewith. Lev. xxii. 8.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists defiled only as an antonym, under pure.
Where he writes about it:
The hand may be defiled by a touch of pitch; swine that have been wallowing in the mud are befouled. — from defile
In figurative use, defile may be used merely in the ceremonial sense; "they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled," John xviii, 28; contaminate refers to deep spiritual injury. — from defile