English Explanatory Dictionary

directory

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A list of names, addresses etc, of specific classes of people or organizations, often in alphabetical order or in some classification.
  2. A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
  3. A virtual container in a computer's file system, in which files and other directories may be stored. The files and subdirectories in a directory are usually related.
  4. A form of government with a collegial executive whose members jointly exercise power; the executive of such a government.
adj
  1. Containing directions; instructing; directorial.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈɹɛktəɹi/ /daɪˈɹɛktəɹi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-directory.wav

Word forms

directory directories more directory most directory

Etymology

From Middle English directorie, dyrectorye, from Medieval Latin dīrēctōrium. By surface analysis, direct + -ory. Doublet of directorium. The political sense is a semantic loan from French directoire.

Synonyms

folder directorate

Related words

atlas gazetteer index rolodex

Derived words

directory assistance directory climbing directory enquiries directoryless directory service directory traversal ex-directory metadirectory non-directory superdirectory
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