a narrow pass (especially one between mountains) place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation
spot, stain, or pollute; "The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it"
A defile is a very narrow valley or passage, usually through mountains. = pass. to make something less pure and good, especially by showing no respect (defoul (13-17 centuries), from defouler, from fouler ). a narrow passage, especially through mountains
To defile something that people think is important or holy means to do something to it or say something about it which is offensive. He had defiled the sacred name of the Holy Prophet
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man"