defile1
/
dɪˈfʌɪl/
v.
sully, mar, or spoil.
▸desecrate or profane (something sacred).
▸archaic rape or sexually assault (a woman).
Derivative
Etymology
ME: alt. of obs. defoul, from OFr. defouler ‘trample down’, influenced by obs. befile ‘befoul, defile’.
defile2
/
dɪˈfʌɪl/
n.
/also
ˈdiːfʌɪl/
a steep-sided narrow gorge or passage (originally one requiring troops to march in single file).
v.
archaic (of troops) march in single file.
Etymology
C17: from Fr. défilé (n.), défiler (v.), from dé ‘away from’ + file ‘column, file’.