(d) A roll or list. "A file of all the gentry." Shak.
2. Course of thought; thread of narration. [Obs.] Let me resume the file of my narration. Sir H. Wotton. File firing, the act of firing by file, or each file independently of others. — File leader, the soldier at the front of any file, who covers and leads those in rear of him. — File marching, the marching of a line two deep, when faced to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank march side by side. Brande & C. —Indian file, or Single file, a line of men marching one behind another; a single row. — On file, preserved in an orderly collection. — Rank and file. (a) The body of soldiers constituing the mass of an army, including corporals and privates. Wilhelm. (b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.
FILE
File, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Filed; p. pr. & vb. n. Filing.]
1. To set in order; to arrange, or lay away, esp. as papers in a methodical manner for preservation and reverence; to place on file; to insert in its proper place in an arranged body of papers. I would have my several courses and my dishes well filed. Beau. & Fl.
2. To bring before a court or legislative body by presenting proper papers in a regular way; as, to file a petition or bill. Burrill.
3. (Law)
Defn: To put upon the files or among the records of a court; to note on (a paper) the fact date of its reception in court. To file a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official custody of the clerk. To file, on the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper the date of its reception, and retain it in his office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may concern. Burrill.
FILE
File, v. i. Etym: [Cf. F. filer.] (Mil.)
Defn: To march in a file or line, as soldiers, not abreast, but one after another; — generally with off. To file with, to follow closely, as one soldier after another in file; to keep pace. My endeavors Have ever come too short of my desires, Yet filed with my abilities. Shak.
FILE File, n. Etym: [AS. feól; akin to D. viji, OHG. fila, fihala, G. feile, Sw. fil, Dan. fiil, cf. Icel. , Russ. pila, and Skr. pi to cut out, adorn; perh. akin to E. paint.]