What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Defile vs Purify - What's the difference?

defile | purify | Antonyms |

Purify is an antonym of defile.

Defile is an antonym of purify.


As verbs the difference between defile and purify

is that defile is to make impure; to make dirty or defile can be (archaic|intransitive) to march in a single file while purify is to cleanse (something), or rid (it) of impurities.

As a noun defile

is a narrow way or passage, eg between mountains.

defile

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Verb

(defil)
  • to make impure; to make dirty.
  • Synonyms
    * contaminate * pollute
    Antonyms
    * purify

    Etymology 2

    Earlier (defilee), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A narrow way or passage, e.g. between mountains.
  • A single file, such as of soldiers.
  • The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior.
  • See also
    * glen

    Verb

    (defil)
  • (archaic) To march in a single file.
  • * 1979 , Cormac McCarthy, Suttree , Random House, p.138:
  • They defiled down a gully to the water and bunched and jerked their noses at it and came back.

    Noun

  • march-past
  • Declension

    {{sh-decl-noun , defìl?, defilei , defilèa, defilé? , defileu, defileima , defile, defilee , defileu / defilee, defilei , defileu, defileima , defileom, defileima }}

    References

    *

    purify

    English

    Verb

  • To cleanse (something), or rid (it) of impurities
  • To free (someone) from guilt or sin
  • Antonyms

    * defile