Question

so far have i been from any care to grace my pages with modern decorations, that i have studiously endeavoured to collect examples and authorities from the writers before the restoration, whose works i regard as the wells of english undefiled, as the pure sources of genuine diction.
--preface to a dictionary of the english language, samuel johnson
which word in the passage can help you determine the meaning of the word undefiled?
✓ \pure\
based on context clues, what is the meaning of the word undefiled as it is used in the passage?
x decorative
not tainted
imperfect

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "undefiled", we use the context clue "pure" (from "as the pure sources"). "Undefiled" should align with "pure" in meaning. "Not tainted" means free from contamination or corruption, matching the idea of purity. "Decorative" relates to adornment (unrelated to purity), and "imperfect" is the opposite of what "pure" and "undefiled" imply.

Answer:

not tainted