defile
defile /dɪˈfaɪl/
noun
-
A narrow pass (especially one between mountains)
(
defile
, gorge
)
a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)
The gorge was deep and narrow, with steep rocky walls on either side
The gorge was deep and narrow, with steep rocky walls on either side
verb
-
Spot, stain, or pollute
(
befoul
, defile
, foul
, maculate
)
spot, stain, or pollute
The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
-
Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
(
defile
, maculate
, stain
, sully
, tarnish
)
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
-
Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
(
cloud
, corrupt
, defile
, sully
, taint
)
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
Sully someone's reputation
sully someone's reputation