'Single file' definitions:

Definition of 'single file'

(from WordNet)
noun
A line of persons or things ranged one behind the other [syn: file, single file, Indian file]

Definition of 'Single file'

From: GCIDE
  • Single \Sin"gle\, a. [L. singulus, a dim. from the root in simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. sengle, fr. L. singulus. See Simple, and cf. Singular.]
  • 1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star. [1913 Webster]
  • No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Alone; having no companion. [1913 Webster]
  • Who single hast maintained, Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of truth. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman. [1913 Webster]
  • Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Single chose to live, and shunned to wed. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat. [1913 Webster]
  • These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed. [1913 Webster]
  • Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere. [1913 Webster]
  • I speak it with a single heart. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • Single ale, Single beer, or Single drink, small ale, etc., as contrasted with double ale, etc., which is stronger. [Obs.] --Nares.
  • Single bill (Law), a written engagement, generally under seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty. --Burril.
  • Single court (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for only two players.
  • Single-cut file. See the Note under 4th File.
  • Single entry. See under Bookkeeping.
  • Single file. See under 1st File.
  • Single flower (Bot.), a flower with but one set of petals, as a wild rose.
  • Single knot. See Illust. under Knot.
  • Single whip (Naut.), a single rope running through a fixed block. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Single 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]

Synonyms of 'single file'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Single file'