De-fīle'ment, n.

n. 1. The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether physically or morally; foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness. “Defilements of the flesh.” Hopkins. The chaste can not take into such filth without danger of defilement. Addison. 2. (Mil.) The act of raising the exposed side of a fortress, in order to shelter the interior works; defilading. Campbell.