Emily Dickinson Lexicon

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.