file¹ /fīl/

1. Any contrivance for keeping papers in order, orig a line or wire on which papers were strung
2. A collection of papers arranged for reference
3. A collection of data in any form, esp on computer
4. A roll or list (Shakespeare)
5. A line of soldiers, chessboard squares, etc ranged one behind another
6. A small body of soldiers
7. A thread (obsolete)

1. To put upon a file
2. To arrange in an orderly way
3. To put on record
4. To bring before a court
5. To deposit or lodge (a complaint, etc)

To march in file

filˈed adjective

filˈer noun

1. A person or thing that files
2. A filing cabinet (informal)

file allocation table noun (computing)

A list which maps a file to blocks of data storage on a disk

file copy noun

1. A copy filed for reference
2. An editor's copy of a book in which errors, possible changes, etc are noted

file extension noun (computing)

A series of characters that follows the dot in a filename and identifies the file type

fileˈ-leader noun

The person at the head of a file

fileˈname noun (computing)

A name used to refer to a given collection of data

file server noun (computing)

A computer in a network that stores files and makes them available to users in a network

file sharing noun (computing)

The activity of making files freely available for other users on a computer network while also downloading files made available by others

filing cabinet noun

A cabinet for storing files

file off

To wheel off at right angles to the original or previous direction

file with (archaic)

To rank with or be equal to

on file

On record, catalogued

single file or Indian file

One behind another

file² /fīl/

1. An instrument with sharp-edged furrows for smoothing or rasping metals, etc
2. A small metal or emery paper instrument for shaping or smoothing finger- or toenails, a nail file
3. A shrewd or cunning person (obsolete)
4. A pickpocket (obsolete)

1. To cut or smooth with, or as if with, a file
2. To polish or improve, esp of a literary style

filed adjective

Polished or smooth

filˈer noun

A person or thing that files

filˈing noun (usu in pl)

A particle rubbed off with a file

fileˈ-cutter noun

A maker of metal files

fileˈfish noun

A fish of the Balistes or a related genus, with skin granulated like a file

file³ /fīl/ (Shakespeare or Scot)

To defile or pollute

• counties
• count in
• counting
• counting frame
• counting frames
• counting house
• counting houses
• counting-out rhyme
• counting room
• countless
• countline
• count noun
• count nouns
• count on
• count one's blessings
• count one's chickens before they are hatched
• count out
• count-out
• count palatine
• countries
• countrified
• countrol
• country
• country-and-western
• country-box