file

file

I

file¹ S1 W2 AC /faɪl/ noun [countable]1. a set of papers, records etc that contain information about a particular person or subject
    file on
    Mendoza read over the file on the murders.
    The FBI keeps files on former White House employees.
    We will keep your details on file (=store them for later use).
    police/case/medical etc file
    a copy of the court file
2. a box or piece of folded card in which you store loose papers:
    She pulled a blue file from the shelf.
3. information on a computer that you store under a particular name:
    a list of all the files and folders on your hard disk
4. a metal tool with a rough surface that you rub on something to make it smooth ⇨ nail file
5. a line of people who are standing or walking one behind the other
    file of
    a file of soldiers marching in step
    in file
    It was dark as we set off in file.
⇨ single file, rank and file
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 3)

■ verbs
   ▪ open a file Click on the icon to open the file.
   ▪ close a file You may need to close the file and restart the computer.
   ▪ save a file Save the file under a different filename.
   ▪ create a file I created a file of useful contacts.
   ▪ delete a file (=remove it ) I accidentally deleted the wrong file.
   ▪ access a file (=open or read it) You won’t be able to access the file if another user has opened it.
   ▪ edit a file (=make changes to it) I edited the file and saved it to the hard disk.
   ▪ copy a file To copy a file, save it using a new filename.
   ▪ move a file He was trying to move the file from one folder to another.
   ▪ transfer a file (=move it from one computer system to another) You can transfer files and share your stuff with friends.
   ▪ download a file (=move a copy of it from the Internet or another computer to your computer) It just takes a few seconds to download the file.
   ▪ upload a file (=move a copy of it from your computer to the Internet or another computer) Restart the web browser, and then upload the file.
   ▪ load a file (=put a file onto a computer) Double-click on the icon and it will load the zip file onto your computer.
   ▪ send somebody a file (=send it using email) Do you want me to send you the file?
   ▪ attach a file (=send it with an email) Sorry, I forgot to attach the file.
   ▪ compress a file (=make it smaller so that it uses less space on a computer) The program allows you to compress files.
■ NOUN + file
   ▪ a computer file Delete some of the old computer files and create some space on the hard drive.
   ▪ a backup file (=a copy of a file, which is made in case the original becomes lost or damaged) You can burn your backup file to CD or DVD.
   ▪ a text file The text file contains hints on how to get the best out of the program.
   ▪ a data file The bigger the data file, the more time is needed to search it.
   ▪ a graphics file This handy utility allows you to change graphics files from one format to another.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ record information about something that is written down: your medical records | the public records office | I have to keep a record of all my spending when I’m travelling on business.
   ▪ file a set of written records, or information stored on a computer under a particular name: He began reading the file on the case. | I think I may have accidentally deleted the file.
   ▪ accounts (also books informal) an exact record of the money that a company has received and spent: Companies are required by law to publish their annual accounts. | Someone had been falsifying the accounts. | The company’s books all seemed to be in order.
   ▪ ledger one of the official books in which a company’s financial records are kept, which show how much it has received and spent: The costs have been moved from one column of the ledger to another.
   ▪ minutes an official written record of what is said and decided at a meeting: Both points are mentioned in the minutes of the last meeting on August 3rd.
   ▪ diary a book in which you regularly write down the things that have happened to you: In his diary he wrote, ‘It s lovely having him here, we’ve had so many cosy talks.’ | I’ll just check in my diary to see if I’m free.
   ▪ blog a web page on the Internet on which someone regularly writes about their life, opinions, or a particular subject: I may not always agree with David, but I always read his blog.
   ▪ register an official list of names of people, organizations etc: Guests must sign the hotel register. | the national register of births, deaths, and marriages | Lloyds Register of Shipping
   ▪ roll an official list of names, especially of people who are allowed to do something such as vote or be in a class at school: the electoral roll (=list of people who can vote in an area) | The teacher called the roll (=read out the list of the names of the students, who then have to say if they are present).
   ▪ log an official record that is kept on a ship or plane: Mr Appleby said he complained to a senior officer, who made a note in the ship’s log.

II

file² S3 W3 AC verb
1. [transitive] to keep papers, documents etc in a particular place so that you can find them easily:
    The contracts are filed alphabetically.
    file something under something
    I looked to see if anything was filed under my name.
    file something away
    The handbooks are filed away for future reference.
2. [transitive] to give or send an official report or news story to your employer:
    The officer left the scene without filing a report.
3. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] law to give a document to a court or other organization so that it can be officially recorded and dealt with
    file a complaint/lawsuit/petition etc (against somebody)
    Mr Genoa filed a formal complaint against the department.
    file for
    The Morrisons have filed for divorce.
    Today is the deadline for Americans to file their tax returns.
4. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if people file somewhere, they walk there in a line:
    We began to file out into the car park.
    The mourners filed past the coffin.
5. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to use a metal or wooden tool to rub something in order to make it smooth:
    File down the sharp edges.
    She sat filing her nails.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ keep to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily: Where do you keep the scissors? | The keys are kept in my office.
   ▪ store to put things away and keep them until you need them: Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
   ▪ save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future: He had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion. | We can save the rest of the pie for later.
   ▪ file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
   ▪ collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: Kate collects old postcards.
   ▪ hold to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to use: Medical records are now usually held on computers.
   ▪ reserve formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cooking: Reserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.
   ▪ hoard to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other people: People have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack. | Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding.