Lectionary Calendar
Monday, December 2nd, 2024
the First Week of Advent
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Bible Encyclopedias
Defile

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Defiance
Next Entry
Definition
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

a military expression for a passage, to march through which troops are compelled to "defile," or narrow their front (from the Fr. defiler, to march in a line, or by "files"). The word is usually applied to a ravine or gorge in a range of hills, but a causeway over a river, a bridge and even a village may equally be called a defile. The term is also used to express, without any special reference to military operations, a gorge in mountains. The verb "to defile" is used of troops marching on a narrow front, or narrowing their front, under all circumstances, and in this sense is the contrary of "deploy." "Defile," in the sense of "pollute," is another form of "defoul"; though spelt alike, the two words are pronounced differently, the accent being on the first syllable for the former, and on the second for the latter.

Bibliography Information
Chisholm, Hugh, General Editor. Entry for 'Defile'. 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​bri/​d/defile.html. 1910.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile