defile

Meanings

• Verb

  To desecrate or pollute something, especially a sacred place.

  - "The vandals defiled the ancient ruins by spray-painting graffiti on them."
  - "The sacred temple was defiled by the invading army."

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Pronunciation

1. /dɪˈfaɪl/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83326783"
2. /dɪˈfaɪl/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83326783"

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Antonyms

clean , purify , sanctify

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Synonyms

contaminate , pollute , spoil , sully , desecrate , profane , ravish , violate , vitiate

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with defile
file , pile , smile

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Variants

List of all variants of defile that leads to same result
defile , defiled , defilement , defilements , defiler , defilers , defiles , defiling

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The word 'defile' comes from the Latin word 'de-' meaning 'away' and 'filium' meaning 'son'. Originally, it meant 'to remove a son from a priestly office'. Over time, its meaning evolved to 'to pollute' or 'to desecrate'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'defile' is often used in religious contexts to describe the desecration of sacred places or objects.

2. In the Bible, the book of Daniel describes the desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Desecration: The act of damaging, destroying, or polluting something considered sacred or holy.

2. Profanation: The act of treating something sacred or holy with contempt or disrespect.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'defile' has been used to describe the desecration of sacred places and the violation of moral or ethical standards. In art, it has been depicted in various forms, such as paintings of desecrated religious icons or sculptures of polluted landscapes. In music, it has been used as a theme in songs about moral decay and social unrest.

How to Memorize "defile"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a sacred place being desecrated or polluted. Imagine vandals spray-painting graffiti on ancient ruins or an invading army defiling a temple.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'defile' with the idea of desecration or pollution. Think of it as the opposite of 'consecrate' or 'sanctify'.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Dirty Desecration' to remember the meaning of 'defile'. Dirty refers to the idea of pollution or contamination, and desecration refers to the act of defiling something.

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