directory

[dih-rek-tuh-ree, -tree, dahy-] /dɪˈrɛk tə ri, -tri, daɪ-/
noun, plural directories.
1.
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.
2.
a board or tablet on a wall of a building listing the room and floor numbers of the occupants.
3.
a book of directions.
4.
Computers.
  1. 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.
  2. a description of characteristics of a particular file, as the layout of fields within each record.
5.
the Directory, French History. the body of five directors forming the executive power of France from 1795 to 1799.
adjective
6.
serving to direct; directing; directive.
Origin
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
British Dictionary definitions for directories

directory

/dɪˈrɛktərɪ; -trɪ; daɪ-/
noun (pl) -ries
1.
a book, arranged alphabetically or classified by trade listing names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc, of individuals or firms
2.
a book or manual giving directions
3.
a book containing the rules to be observed in the forms of worship used in churches
4.
a less common word for directorate (sense 2)
5.
(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
6.
directing

Directory

/dɪˈrɛktərɪ; -trɪ; daɪ-/
noun the Directory
1.
(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
Word Origin and History for directories

directory

n.

1540s, "guide, book of rules," from Medieval Latin directorium, noun use of neuter of Latin directorius, from directus (see direct (v.)). Meaning "alphabetical listing of inhabitants of a region" is from 1732; listing of telephone numbers is from 1908. As an adjective, from mid-15c.

directories in Technology


directory