'On file' definitions:

Definition of 'On file'

From: GCIDE
  • File \File\ (f[imac]l), n. [F. file row (cf. Pr., Sp., Pg., & It. fila), LL. fila, fr. L. filum a thread. Cf. Enfilade, Filament, Fillet.]
  • 1. An orderly succession; a line; a row; as: (a) (Mil.) A row of soldiers ranged one behind another; -- in contradistinction to rank, which designates a row of soldiers standing abreast; a number consisting the depth of a body of troops, which, in the ordinary modern formation, consists of two men, the battalion standing two deep, or in two ranks. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The number of files in a company describes its width, as the number of ranks does its depth; thus, 100 men in "fours deep" would be spoken of as 25 files in 4 ranks. --Farrow. (b) An orderly collection of papers, arranged in sequence or classified for preservation and reference; as, files of letters or of newspapers; this mail brings English files to the 15th instant. (c) The line, wire, or other contrivance, by which papers are put and kept in order. [1913 Webster]
  • It is upon a file with the duke's other letters. --Shak. (d) A roll or list. "A file of all the gentry." --Shak.
  • 2. Course of thought; thread of narration. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Let me resume the file of my narration. --Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (computers) a collection of data on a digital recording medium treated as a unit for the purpose of recording, reading, storage, or indexing; -- such a file is typically accessible by computer programs by the use of a file name. The data may be of any type codable digitally, such as simple ASCII-coded text, complex binary-coded data, or an executable program, or may be itself a collection of other files. [PJC]
  • 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 people marching one behind another; a single row. Also used adverbially; as, to march Indian file.
  • On file, preserved in an orderly collection; recorded in some database.
  • Rank and file. (a) The body of soldiers constituting 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. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'On file'