defiliation

D2E1F4I1L1I1A1T1I1O1N1
UK/dɪˌfɪliːˈ(j)eɪʃən/

noun

The separation of a child from its parents.

OriginLatin de- →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

noundefiliation (countable and uncountable, plural defiliations)

plural defiliations

  1. countableuncountableThe separation of a child from its parents.

    […] the tales of fairy-spiriting may shadow a lamentable verity, and the recovery of the young Montagu be but a solitary instance of good fortune, out of many irreparable and hopeless defiliations.

    1823, Elia [pseudonym; Charles Lamb], Elia. Essays which have Appeared under that Signature in The London Magazine, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC

Origin

  1. Latinde-
  2. Englishdefiliation

From Latin de- + filius (“son”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

defiliation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defiliation

MLA

“defiliation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defiliation. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “defiliation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defiliation.

Source: defiliation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.