Defile

DEFILE'. Under the Jewish law, many blemishes of person and conduct were regarded as defilements or pollutions, rendering those upon whom they were found unclean, and subjecting them, for the time being, to many civil and religious disabilities. Mark 7:2. The term is most frequently used by the sacred writers in a figurative sense.

DEFILE'. Under the Jewish law, many blemishes of person and conduct were regarded as defilements or pollutions, rendering those upon whom they were found unclean, and subjecting them, for the time being, to many civil and religious disabilities. Mark 7:2. The term is most frequently used by the sacred writers in a figurative sense.

Part of speech: noun (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. The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

Same as Defilade.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.