Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FIL'A-MENT, n. [Fr. from L. filamenta, threads, from filum.]

A thread; a fiber. In anatomy and natural history, a fine thread, of which flesh, nerves, skin, plants, roots, &c., and also some minerals, are composed. So the spider's web is composed of filaments. The threadlike part of the stamens of plants, is called the filament.

FIL-A-MENT'OUS, a.

Like a thread; consisting of fine filaments.

FIL'AN-DERS, n. [Fr. filandres, from filum, a thread.]

A disease in hawks, consisting of filaments of coagulated blood; also, small worms wrapt in a thin skin or net, near the reins of a hawk. Encyc.

FIL'A-TO-RY, n. [from L. filum, a thread.]

A machine which forms or spins threads. This manufactory has three filatories, each of 610 reels, which are moved by a water-wheel, and besides a small filatory turned by men. Tooke.

FIL'A-TURE, n.

A forming into threads.

FIL'A-TURE, n.

An establishment for reeling silk.

FIL'BERT, n. [L. avellana, with which the first syllable corresponds; fil, vel.]

The fruit of the Corylus or hazel; an egg-shaped nut, containing a kernel, that has a mild, farinaceous, oily taste, which is agreeable to the palate. The oil is said to be little inferior to the oil of almonds. Encyc.

FILCH, v.t. [This word, like Pilfer, is probably from the root of file or peel, to strip or rub off. But I know not from what source we have received it. In Sp. pellizcar is to pilfer, as filouter, in French, is to pick the pocket.]

To steal something of little value; to pilfer; to steal; to pillage; to take wrongfully from another. Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden. But he that filches from me my good name, / Robs me of that which not enriches him, / And makes me poor indeed. Shak.

FILCH'ED, pp.

Stolen; taken wrongfully from another; pillaged; pilfered.

FILCH'ER, n.

A thief; one who is guilty of petty theft.

FILCH'ING, ppr.

Stealing; taking from another wrongfully; pilfering.

FILCH'ING-LY, adv.

By pilfering; in a thievish manner.

FILE, n. [Fr. file, a row; filet, a thread; L. filum; Sp. hilo; Port. fila; It. fila, filo; Russ. biel, a thread of flax. The primary sense is probably to draw out or extend, or to twist. W. filliaw, to twist.]

1. A thread, string or line; particularly, a line or wire on which papers are strung in due order for preservation, and for conveniently finding them when wanted. Documents are kept on file.
2. The whole number of papers strung on a line or wire; as, a file of writs. A file is a record of court.
3. A bundle of papers tied together, with the title of each indorsed; the mode of arranging and keeping papers being changed, without a change of names.
4. A roll, list or catalogue. Shak.
5. A row of soldiers ranged one behind another, from front to rear; the number of men constituting the depth of the battalion or squadron.

FILE, n. [Sax. feol; D. vyl; G. feile; Sw. and Dan. fil, a file; Russ. pila, a saw; perhaps connected in origin with polish, – which see. Class Bl, No. 30, 32, 33, 45.]

An instrument used in smoothing and polishing metals, formed of iron or steel, and cut in little furrows.

FILE, v.i.

To march in a file or line, as soldiers not abreast; but one after another.

FILE, v.t.¹

1. To string; to fasten, as papers, on a line or wire for preservation. Declarations and affidavits must be filed. An original writ may be filed after judgment.
2. To arrange or insert in a bundle, as papers, indorsing the title on each paper. This is now the more common mode of filing papers in public and private offices.
3. To present or exhibit officially, or for trial; as, to file a bill in chancery.

FILE, v.t.² [Russ. opilevayu, and spilivayu, to file.]

1. To rub and smooth with a file; to polish.
2. To cut as with a file; to wear off or away by friction; as to file off a tooth.
3. [from Defile.] To foul or defile. [Not used.] Shak.

FILE-CUT-TER, n.

A maker of files. Moron.

FIL-ED, pp.

Placed on a line or wire; placed in a bundle and indorsed; smoothed or polished with a file.

FILE-LEAD-ER, n.

The soldier placed in the front of a file. Cyc.

FIL'E-MOT, n. [Fr. feuille-morte, a dead leaf.]

A yellowish brown color; the color of a faded leaf. Swift.

FIL-ER, n.

One who uses a file in smoothing and polishing.

FIL'IAL, a. [fil'yal; Fr. filial; It. filiale, Sp. filial; from L. filius, a son, filia, a daughter. Sp. hijo, Coptic falu, Sans. bala or bali. It agrees in elements with foal and pullus. The Welsh has hiliaw and eppiliaw, to bring forth; hil and eppil, progeny.]

1. Pertaining to a son or daughter; becoming a child in relation to his parents. Filial love is such an affection as a child naturally bears to his parents. Filial duty or obedience is such duty or obedience as the child owes to his parents.
2. Bearing the relation of a son. Sprigs of like leaf erect their filial heads. Prior.

FIL'IAL-LY, a.

In a filial manner.

FIL-I-A'TION, n. [Fr. from L. filius, a son.]

1. The relation of a son or child to a father; correlative to paternity. Hale.
2. Adoption.