defiler

Word Origin & History

c.1400, "to desecrate, profane;" mid-15c., "to make foul or dirty," alteration of earlier defoulen, from Old French defouler "trample down, violate," also "ill-treat, dishonor," from de- "down" (see de-) + foler "to tread," from Latin fullo "person who cleans and thickens cloth by stamping on it" (see foil (v.)).

The alteration (or re-formation) in English is from influence of Middle English filen (v.) "to render foul; make unclean or impure," literal and figurative, from Old English fylen (trans.), related to Old English fulian (intrans.) "to become foul, rot," from the source of foul (adj.). Cf. befoul, which also had a parallel form befilen. Related: Defiled; defiling.

Example Sentences for defiler

And Mr. Gosse saw him as the defiler of the purity of the English language.

He returned unexpectedly soon, however; found his home occupied, and stabbed the defiler of it.

I don't mind smoke,' she said mendaciously, trying to appease the defiler of the air with a little smile.

The impulse to crush the defiler was checked by the sudden appearance of two men inside the curtains.

They hate the army of Aerschot and Lorraine as a mother hates the defiler of her child.

Schwartz's kick at the Master had thrown the adoring dog into a maniac rage against this defiler of his idol.

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Synonyms for defiler

noun attacker

More words related to defiler

enemies

noun. someone hated or competed against

rapist

noun. attacker

defiler

Synonyms for defiler

More words related to defiler

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enemy

rapist

enemies