† befile, v. Obs.
Forms: inf. 1 be-, bifylan, 3 bifulen(ü), 4 bifilen, (Kentish) bevelen, 6 befyle, befile.
[OE. bef{yacu}lan, f. be- 1 + f{yacu}lan to file (:—OTeut. *fûljan, f. f{uacu}l, foul). Afterwards superseded by befoul.]
trans. To make foul or dirty; to defile. Hence † befiling vbl. n.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 208 Handa him befylde ᵹesihð weorca unrihta ᵹetacnað. a 1225 Ancr. R. 272 Uorte bifulen hire mid þouhte of olde sunnen. 1340 Ayenb. 40 Maystres of gyle and of contak and of be-uelynge. 1530 Palsgr. 445/2 You have befyled your hosen with duste and you have befouled your cappe with asshes. 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. (1557) 685/1 Then shall ye see..thys fayre egle byrde foule befile hys nest. |