What does defiled mean Meaning and Definition
What does defiled mean?
Pronunciation
/dɪˈfaɪld/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To make something or someone morally or spiritually impure; to contaminate or corrupt something.
Examples
- The politician’s scandalous behavior defiled the office.
- The sacred site was defiled by the careless tourists.
Synonyms
- Contaminate
- Corrupt
- Pollute
Antonyms
- Purify
- Cleanse
- Redeem
Additional Information
The concept of defilement is often associated with religious or spiritual beliefs, where certain actions or behaviors are seen as profaning sacred spaces or objects. In a broader sense, defilement can refer to any act that corrupts or contaminates something, whether it be a person, place, or object.
In literature and art, defilement can be used as a metaphor for moral decay or the corruption of innocence. In psychology, defilement can refer to the internalization of shame or guilt, leading to feelings of self-contamination.
Etymology
The word “defile” comes from the Old French “desfiler,” meaning “to undo” or “to destroy.” It is derived from the Latin “de” meaning “down” or “away” and “filum” meaning “thread.” Over time, the term evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to corruption, contamination, and moral decay.
Usage Notes
Cultural References
In literature, defilement is a central theme in works such as William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” In art, defilement is often depicted in works such as Francisco Goya’s “The Disasters of War” and Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Defile the nest” means to corrupt or destroy one’s own home or community.
- “Defile the innocent” means to corrupt or taint someone who is pure or innocent.
Related Words or Phrases
- Contaminate
- Corrupt
- Pollute
- Profane
Collocations
- “defile the land”
- “defile the temple”
- “defile the body”
Frequency of Use
The word “defile” is relatively uncommon in modern language, but it can be found in a variety of contexts, including literature, art, and religious or spiritual discourse.
Common Misspellings
- “defile”
- “defiel”
- “defilled”