1. n. A collection of papers collated and archived together.
2. n. A roll or list.
3. n. Course of thought; thread of narration.
4. n. (computing) An aggregation of data on a storage device, identified by a name.
I'm going to delete these unwanted files to free up some disk space.
5. v. To commit (official papers) to some office.
6. v. To place in an archive in a logical place and order
7. v. To store a file (aggregation of data) on a storage medium such as a disc or another computer.
8. v. (intransitive, with for, chiefly legal) To submit a formal request to some office.
She filed for divorce the next day.
The company filed for bankruptcy when the office opened on Monday.
They filed for a refund under their warranty.
9. v. (transitive, obsolete) To set in order; to arrange, or lay away.
10. n. A column of people one behind another, whether "single file" or in a large group with many files side by side.
The troops marched in Indian file.
11. n. (military) A small detachment of soldiers.
12. n. (chess) one of the eight vertical lines of squares on a chessboard (i.e., those identified by a letter). The analog horizontal lines are the ranks.
13. v. (intransitive) To move in a file.
The applicants kept filing into the room until it was full.
14. n. A hand tool consisting of a handle to which a block of coarse metal is attached, and used for removing sharp edges or for cutting, especially through metal.
15. n. (slang) A cunning or resourceful person.
16. v. To smooth, grind, or cut with a file.
I'd better file the bottoms of the table legs. Otherwise they will scratch the flooring.
