defile defile /dɪˈfaɪl/

noun

1. A narrow pass (especially one between mountains)  ( defile , gorge )
   a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)
    The gorge was deep and narrow, with steep rocky walls on either side
   The gorge was deep and narrow, with steep rocky walls on either side
   
   

verb

1. Spot, stain, or pollute  ( befoul , defile , foul , maculate )
   spot, stain, or pollute
    The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
   The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
   
2. Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically  ( defile , maculate , stain , sully , tarnish )
   make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
    The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
   The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
    Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
   Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
   
3. Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon  ( cloud , corrupt , defile , sully , taint )
   place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
    Sully someone's reputation
   sully someone's reputation
   

 switchblade switchblade /ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd/

noun

1. [ N. American] A pocketknife with a blade that springs open at the press of a button  ( flick knife [Canadian, British] , flick-knife [British] , switchblade [ N. American] , switchblade knife [ N. American] )
   a pocketknife with a blade that springs open at the press of a button
   
   

 lean lean /ˈliːn/

adjective

1. () Lacking excess flesh  ( lean , thin )
   lacking excess flesh
    You can't be too rich or too thin
   you can't be too rich or too thin
    Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look
   Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look
   
2. Not profitable or prosperous  ( lean )
   not profitable or prosperous
    A lean year
   a lean year
   
3. Lacking in mineral content or combustible material  ( lean )
   lacking in mineral content or combustible material
    Lean ore
   lean ore
    Lean fuel
   lean fuel
   
4. Containing little excess  ( lean , skimpy )
   containing little excess
    A lean budget
   a lean budget
    A skimpy allowance
   a skimpy allowance
   

noun

1. The property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical  ( inclination , lean , leaning , list , tilt )
   the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
    The tower had a pronounced tilt
   the tower had a pronounced tilt
    The ship developed a list to starboard
   the ship developed a list to starboard
    He walked with a heavy inclination to the right
   he walked with a heavy inclination to the right
   
   

verb

1. () To incline or bend from a vertical position  ( angle , slant , tip , lean , tilt )
   to incline or bend from a vertical position
    She leaned over the banister
   She leaned over the banister
   
2. () Cause to lean or incline  ( lean )
   cause to lean or incline
    He leaned his rifle against the wall
   He leaned his rifle against the wall
   
3. () Have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined  ( be given , lean , run , incline , tend )
   have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    She tends to be nervous before her lectures
   She tends to be nervous before her lectures
    These dresses run small
   These dresses run small
    He inclined to corpulence
   He inclined to corpulence
   
4. () Rely on for support  ( lean )
   rely on for support
    We can lean on this man
   We can lean on this man
   
5. Cause to lean to the side  ( lean , list )
   cause to lean to the side
    Erosion listed the old tree
   Erosion listed the old tree
   

 pilaster pilaster /pəˈlæstɝ/

noun

1. A rectangular column that usually projects about a third of its width from the wall to which it is attached  ( pilaster )
   a rectangular column that usually projects about a third of its width from the wall to which it is attached
    The ornate pilaster added a touch of elegance to the otherwise plain wall.
   The ornate pilaster added a touch of elegance to the otherwise plain wall.