Part 2861

<hw>De*file"</hw> <tt>(?; 277)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82fil\'82</ets>, fr. <ets>d\'82filer</ets> to defile.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>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.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Mil.)</fld> <def>The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See <er>Defilade</er>.</def>

<h1>Defile</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*file"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>defoulen</ets>, <ets>-foilen</ets>, to tread down, OF. <ets>defouler</ets>; <ets>de-</ets> + <ets>fouler</ets> to trample (see <er>Full</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt>), and OE. <ets>defoulen</ets> to foul (influenced in form by the older verb <ets>defoilen</ets>). See <er>File</er> to defile, <er>Foul</er>, <er>Defoul</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute.</def>

<blockquote>They that touch pitch will be <b>defiled</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint.</def>

<blockquote>He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age, however his character may be <b>defiled</b> by . . . dirty hands. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To injure in purity of character; to corrupt.</def>

<blockquote><b>Defile</b> not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. <i>Ezek. xx. 7.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate.</def>

<blockquote>The husband murder'd and the wife <b>defiled</b>. <i>Prior.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute.</def>

<blockquote>That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to <b>defile</b> therewith. <i>Lev. xxii. 8.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Defilement</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*file"ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82filement</ets>. See <er>Defile</er>]</ety> <fld>(Mil.)</fld> <def>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.</def>

<h1>Defilement</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*file"ment</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[From 3d <er>Defile</er>.]</ety> <def>The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether physically or morally; pollution; foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness.</def>

<blockquote><b>Defilements</b> of the flesh. <i>Hopkins.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The chaste can not rake into such filth without danger of <b>defilement</b>. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Defiler</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fil"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which pollutes.</def>

<h1>Defiliation</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fil`i*a"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>de-</ets> + <ets>filius</ets> son.]</ety> <def>Abstraction of a child from its parents.</def>

<i>Lamb.</i>

<h1>Definable</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fin"a*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[From <er>Define</er>.]</ety> <def>Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; <as>as, <ex>definable</ex> limits; <ex>definable</ex> distinctions or regulations; <ex>definable</ex> words</as>.</def> -- <wordforms><wf>De*fin"a*bly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt></wordforms>