WordWeb Online

1. A narrow pass (especially one between mountains)
   - gorge

1. Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
   - sully, corrupt, taint, cloud
    
2. Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
   - tarnish, stain, maculate, sully
    
3. Spot, stain, or pollute
   "The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it"
   - foul, befoul, maculate

Derived forms: defiles, defiled, defiling

See also: defilement, defiler

Type of: attaint [archaic], blob, blot, deflower, disgrace, dishonor [US], dishonour [Brit, Cdn], fleck, impair, mar, mountain pass, notch, pass, shame, spoil, spot, vitiate

Encyclopedia: Defile