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Added 8 October 2026

file

/faɪl/ noun

In Latin: fasciculus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about file at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A collection of papers collated and archived together.
A roll or list.
A course of thought; a thread of narration.

verb

To commit (official papers) to some office.
She filed their accounts yesterday.
To submit a formal request to some office.
She filed for divorce the next day.
To place in an archive in a logical place and order.
Troves of documents filed away in the depository.

noun

A column of people one behind another, whether "single file" or in a grid pattern.
The troops marched in Indian file.
A small detachment of soldiers.
One of the eight vertical lines of squares on a chessboard (i.e., those identified by a letter).

verb

To move in a file.
The applicants kept filing into the room until it was full.

Origin

From Old French fil (“thread”), from Latin fīlum (“thread”). Doublet of filum.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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