directory
[ dih-rek-tuh-ree, -tree, dahy- ]
/ dɪˈrɛk tə ri, -tri, daɪ- /
noun, plural di·rec·to·ries.
a book containing an alphabetical index of the names and addresses of persons in a city, district, organization, etc., or of a particular category of people.
a board or tablet on a wall of a building listing the room and floor numbers of the occupants.
a book of directions.
Computers.
- Also called folder. an organizing unit in a computer's file system for storing and locating files. In a hierarchical file system, directories can contain child directories (subdirectories) as well as files.
- a description of characteristics of a particular file, as the layout of fields within each record.
the Directory, French History.
the body of five directors forming the executive power of France from 1795 to 1799.
adjective
serving to direct; directing; directive.
Origin of directory
1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin
dīrēctōrium, noun use of Late Latin
dīrēctōrius
directorial; in def. 5, translation of French
Directoire < Medieval Latin, as above
Words nearby directory
Example sentences from the Web for directory
British Dictionary definitions for directory (1 of 2)
directory
/ (dɪˈrɛktərɪ, -trɪ, daɪ-) /
noun plural -ries
a book, arranged alphabetically or classified by trade listing names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc, of individuals or firms
a book or manual giving directions
a book containing the rules to be observed in the forms of worship used in churches
a less common word for directorate (def. 2)
computing
an area of a disk, Winchester disk, or floppy disk that contains the names and locations of files currently held on that disk
adjective
directing
British Dictionary definitions for directory (2 of 2)
Directory
/ (dɪˈrɛktərɪ, -trɪ, daɪ-) /
noun the Directory
history
the body of five directors in power in France from 1795 until their overthrow by Napoleon in 1799
Also known as: the French Directory