File Definition

fīl
filed, files, filing
noun
files
A container, as a folder, cabinet, etc., for keeping papers in order.
Webster's New World
A collection of papers or published materials kept or arranged in convenient order.
American Heritage
A line of persons or things situated one behind another.
Webster's New World
A collection of data (or, often, of logically related records) stored and dealt with as a single, named unit.
Webster's New World
An orderly arrangement of papers, cards, etc., as for reference.
Webster's New World
verb
filed, files, filing

To store a file (aggregation of data) on a storage medium such as a disc or another computer.

Wiktionary
To put (a paper, etc.) in its proper place or order.
Webster's New World
To register oneself as a candidate (for a political office)
Webster's New World
To move in a line.
To file out of a building.
Webster's New World
To dispatch (a news story) to a newspaper, news agency, etc.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
idiom
on file
  • In or as if in a file for easy reference:

    We will keep your résumé on file.

American Heritage
on file
  • In or as if in a file for easy reference:

    We will keep your résumé on file.

American Heritage
in file
  • in line, one behind another
Webster's New World
on file
  • (kept) in or as in a file for reference
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of File

Noun

Singular:
file
Plural:
files

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to File

Origin of File

  • From Middle English filen to put documents on file from Old French filer to spin thread, to put documents on a thread from Late Latin fīlāre to spin, draw out in a long line from Latin fīlum thread gwhī- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English filen to put documents on file from Old French filer to spin thread, to put documents on a thread from Late Latin fīlāre to spin, draw out in a long line from Latin fīlum thread gwhī- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Louisiana French from French past participle of filer to spin thread (from its effect when added to hot liquids) from Old French file1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English filen (“to defile”), from Old English fȳlan (“to defile, make foul”), from fūl (“foul”). More at defile.

    From Wiktionary

  • French file, from filer, “to spin out”, “arrange one behind another”, Latin fīlāre, from filum, “thread”.

    From Wiktionary

  • Old English feol. Cognate with Dutch vijl, German Feile, West Frisian file.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English filen from Old English fȳlan pū̆- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Old English fīl peig- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French fil (“thread”), Latin filum (“thread”).

    From Wiktionary

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