Both Uses of
defile
in
The Chrysalids
- You have produced a defilement.†
Chpt 7 *defilement = the act of spoiling the beauty or purity of something
 
- Unendingly they work to distort the true image; through our weaker vessels they attempt to defile the race.†
Chpt 7
 
Definitions:
- 
(1)
(defile as in: it was defiled) to spoil the beauty or purity of somethingin various senses, including:
- pollute a pristine lake
 - harm a reputation or good name
 - damage or disrespect something sacred
 - take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way
 
 - 
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely (but not uncommon in classic literature), defile can refer to a narrow valley or a march or passage through one.