A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1559-1596
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Defile, Defyle, v. [ME. defyle (14th c.), alteration of defoul after file, fyle.] tr. To pollute, sully, violate. 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 20.
Ane … with quhome he alleages I defyled his bed 1560 Digest Iusticiary Proc. C. 12.
All persones quhilkis had defylit them selfis in adulterye 1562-3 Winȝet II. 19/28.
To defyle … the haill kirk at anis 1562-3 Ib. 21/32.
Than wes mariit women defilit 1567 Satirical Poems iii. 87.
Lat not ȝour landis defylit be with blude 1572 Ib. xxxiv. 14.
Thair conversatiounis is defylit 1596 Dalr. I. 180/13.
Quhen he had defylet … his twa dauchtiris
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"Defile v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/defile>
