Hyphenation
de·fileSynonyms
abuse,
adulterate,
befoul,
besmirch,
contaminate,
debase,
deflower,
degrade,
desecrate,
dirty,
discolor,
disgrace,
dishonor,
hurt,
maculatePronunciation
Etymology
() From Middle English defilen (“to make dirty”), alteration (due to Middle English defoulen, defoilen (“to trample, abuse”)) of Middle English befilen (“to defile, make foul”), from Old English befȳlan (“to befoul, defile”), from Proto-Germanic *bifūlijanan (“to defile, make filthy”). Cognate with Dutch bevuilen (“to defile, soil”). More at be-, file, foul.