Pronunciation: [bɪfˈa͡ʊld] (IPA) 
The word "befouled" is spelled with the prefix "be-" and the root word "fouled". It is pronounced as /bɪˈfaʊld/. The prefix "be-" is pronounced as /bɪ/ and means "completely". The root word "fouled" is pronounced as /faʊld/ and means "dirty or defiled". Therefore, "befouled" means "completely dirty or defiled". This word is commonly used to describe something that has been contaminated or polluted.
Befouled is an adjective that refers to something that has been made dirty, polluted, or contaminated by filth, impurities, or foul substances. The term suggests a state of being defiled or disgraced, typically as a result of unwanted contact with dirt, sewage, or other noxious materials.
In a literal sense, an object or a place can be described as befouled when it is stained, soiled, or covered in unclean or undesirable matter. This could range from the pollution of a river due to industrial waste, to the dirt and grime that accumulate on surfaces due to neglect or lack of cleanliness. Befouling can occur through various means, such as through accidental spills, intentional acts of vandalism, or simply through natural decay and decomposition.
Metaphorically, the term can also be used to describe a tarnished reputation or a person's character that has been sullied by immoral or unethical behavior. Just as physical pollution can have detrimental effects on the environment, befouling in a figurative sense suggests a tarnishing of one's integrity or honor. It implies a loss of purity and a staining of one's moral or ethical standing.
Overall, the adjective "befouled" captures the essence of something that has been contaminated, defiled, or made impure, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense.
The word "befouled" has an Old English origin. It is derived from the combination of two Old English words: "be-" and "foule".
The prefix "be-" in Old English typically indicated a sense of "around" or "thoroughly". In the case of "befouled", it adds the idea of something being thoroughly affected or polluted.
The word "foule" is derived from the Old English word "fūl", which means "dirty", "defiled", or "unclean". It is related to the Middle Dutch "vuyl" and the Old High German "fūl", both of which have similar meanings.
