De‐file″ (dē̍‐fīl″), 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.