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 verb1: 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 merits3: to initiate (as a legal action) through proper formal procedure <threatened to file charges>intransitive verb1: to register as a candidate especially in a primary election2: to place items in a file3: to submit documents necessary to initiate a legal proceeding <file for bankruptcy>

— fil·er \ˈfī-lər\ noun