Pronunciation: [dɪfˈa͡ɪld] (IPA) 
The word "defiled", spelled /dɪˈfaɪld/, is a past tense verb that means to spoil or corrupt something that was once pure or clean. The spelling of this word follows the standard English spelling rules, with the "e" following the "i" to create the long "i" sound. The "l" at the end of the word is silent, but it helps to preserve the original root of the word, which is "file", meaning to polish or refine.
Defiled is an adjective that describes something that has been made impure, tainted, or contaminated, often with regard to something that was once pure or sacred. When an object, place, or person is defiled, it has been subjected to actions or attributes that violate its sacredness, integrity, or cleanliness.
In a religious or spiritual context, defiled often refers to the desecration or pollution of a holy site, sanctuary, or object by an individual or group who carry out sacrilegious or profane acts. This desecration can involve actions such as vandalizing, polluting, or disrespecting these sacred entities, thereby diminishing their supposed inherent sanctity.
Beyond religious contexts, the term defiled can also apply to the contamination or violation of anything that was once pure, pristine, or untainted. For instance, a pure water source can become defiled if it becomes contaminated with pollutants, rendering it impure and potentially harmful for consumption. Similarly, a person's reputation or character can be defiled if they engage in morally or ethically objectionable behavior, which stains their previously untainted image.
Overall, defiled encompasses the idea of something being spoiled, debased, or corrupted, either physically, morally, or spiritually. By applying this term, it highlights the violation or impairment of something that was previously considered pure, clean, or revered, emphasizing the negative implications associated with its contamination or loss of sacredness.
The word "defiled" originated from the Old French term "defouler", which meant "to trample upon" or "to tread down". This word further evolved from the Latin term "dis-" meaning "opposite or away", and "folare" meaning "to tread or trample". Over time, "defouler" transformed into "defile" in English, expanding its meaning to include concepts of polluting or corrupting.
