Main Entry: ⁴file

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): filed; fil·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin filare to string documents on a string or wire, from filum file of documents, literally, thread, from Latin; akin to Armenian ǰil sinew

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to arrange in order for preservation and reference <file letters>
2 a : to place among official records as prescribed by law <file a mortgage> b : to send (copy) to a newspaper <filed a story> c : to return to the office of the clerk of a court without action on the merits
3 : to initiate (as a legal action) through proper formal procedure <threatened to file charges>intransitive verb 1 : to register as a candidate especially in a primary election
2 : to place items in a file
3 : to submit documents necessary to initiate a legal proceeding <file for bankruptcy>

— fil·er \ˈfī-lər\ noun