Part 108

De`fi*lade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defiladed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defilading.] [Cf. F. défiler to defile, and défilade act of defiling. See 1st Defile.] (Mil.) To raise, as a rampart, so as to shelter interior works commanded from some higher point.

De`fi*lad"ing, n. (Mil.) The art or act of determining the directions and heights of the lines of rampart with reference to the protection of the interior from exposure to an enemy's fire from any point within range, or from any works which may be erected. Farrow.

De*file" (d*fl"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defiled (-fld"); p. pr. & vb. n. Defiling.] [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.

De*file", v. t. (Mil.) Same as Defilade.

De*file" (d*fl" or d"fl; 277), n. [Cf. F. défilé, fr. défiler to defile.] 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.

De*file" (d*fl"), v. t. [OE. defoulen, -foilen, to tread down, OF. defouler; de- + fouler to trample (see Full, v. t.), and OE. defoulen to foul (influenced in form by the older verb defoilen). See File to defile, Foul, Defoul.] 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.

De*file"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. défilement. See Defile] (Mil.) The protection of the interior walls of a fortification from an enfilading fire, as by covering them, or by a high parapet on the exposed side.

De*file"ment, n. [From 3d Defile.] The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether physically or morally; pollution; foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness.

Defilements of the flesh.

Hopkins.

The chaste can not rake into such filth without danger of defilement.

Addison.

De*fil"er (?), n. One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which pollutes.