好词典

defile

UK //dɪˈfaɪl//US //dɪˈfaɪl//

词源

源自中古法语'defiler',由'de-'(表示否定)和'filer'(过滤、净化)组成,原意为'使不纯净'。军事名词用法来自法语'defile',指'狭窄通道'。

verb

❶ 指通过污染、玷污或亵渎使某物变得不纯净或不神圣,常用于描述对环境、名誉或宗教场所的破坏行为。

“The invaders defiled the ancient temple with graffiti.”

(入侵者用涂鸦亵渎了这座古老寺庙。)

“Chemical waste has defiled the river for decades.”

(化学废料污染这条河流已达数十年。)

同义词:pollute, desecrate, contaminate

noun

❶ 指狭窄的山路或峡谷,特别是指军队行进时只能单列通过的险要通道。

“The troops marched through the mountain defile in single file.”

(军队排成单列穿过狭窄的山路。)

“The narrow defile made the convoy vulnerable to ambush.”

(狭窄的峡谷使车队容易遭到伏击。)

同义词:gorge, pass, ravine

常见短语

defile one's honor — 指损害或玷污某人的名誉,常用于描述因不当行为导致的名誉受损。

“The scandal defiled the politician's honor beyond repair.”

(这桩丑闻彻底玷污了那位政治家的名誉。)