file

file

file¹ [fīl]

vt.

filed, filing [ME filen < OFr filer, to string documents on thread, orig., to spin thread < LL filare, to spin < L filum, thread < IE base * gwhislo- > Lith gýsla, sinew]

1.

a) to arrange (papers, etc.) in order for future reference

b) to put (a paper, etc.) in its proper place or order

☆ 2. to dispatch (a news story) to a newspaper, news agency, etc.

3. to register (an application, etc.)

4. to put (a legal document) on public record

5. to initiate (a divorce suit or other legal action)

vi.

1. to move in a line [to file out of a building ]

☆ 2. to register oneself as a candidate (for a political office)

3. to make application (for divorce proceedings, etc.)

n.

[ FILE¹ senses 1, 2, & 5 < the v.; 3 & 4 < Fr file < L filum]

1. a container, as a folder, cabinet, etc., for keeping papers in order

2. an orderly arrangement of papers, cards, etc., as for reference

3. a line of persons or things situated one behind another: cf. RANK¹

4. any of the rows of squares on a chessboard extending from one player's end to the other

5. Comput. a collection of data (or, often, of logically related records) stored and dealt with as a single, named unit: cf. RECORD (n. 7), FIELD (n. 12)

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in file

in line, one behind another

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on file

(kept) in or as in a file for reference

fileable

adj.

filer

n.

file² [fīl]

n.

[ME < OE feol (Mercian fil), akin to Ger feile < Du vijl, prob. < IE base * peik-, var. of * peig-, to scratch, prick > PAINT]

1. a steel tool with a rough, ridged surface for smoothing, grinding down, or cutting through something

2. [Brit. Slang] a crafty rascal

vt.

filed, filing

to smooth, grind down, or cut through as with a file

file³ [fīl]

vt.

filed, filing [ME filen < OE -fylan < ful, dirty, FOUL]

Archaic to make foul; defile