FILE, n. [L. filum. The primary sense is probably to draw out or extend, or 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.

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

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

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.

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.

1. An orderly succession] a line; a row
   
   
   ; as: (a) (Mil)
2. To set in order] to arrange, or lay away, esp. as papers in a methodical manner for preservation and reverence; to place on file; to insert in its proper place in an arranged body of papers.
   
   

   I would have my several courses and my dishes well filed. Beau. *** Fl.

3. To march in a file or line, as soldiers, not abreast, but one after another; -- generally with off.
   
   

   To file with, to follow closely, as one soldier after another in file; to keep pace.

   My endeavors
   Have ever come too short of my desires,
   Yet filed with my abilities. Shak.

4. A steel instrument, having cutting ridges or teeth, made by indentation with a chisel, used for abrading or smoothing other substances, as metals, wood, etc.
   
   

   * A file differs from a rasp in having the furrows made by straight cuts of a chisel, either single or crossed, while the rasp has coarse, single teeth, raised by the pyramidal end of a triangular punch.

5. To rub, smooth, or cut away, with a file; to sharpen with a file; as, to file a saw or a tooth.
6. To make foul; to defile.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   All his hairy breast with blood was filed. Spenser.

   For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind. Shak.

7. Course of thought; thread of narration.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   Let me resume the file of my narration. Sir H. Wotton.

   File firing, the act of firing by file, or each file independently of others. -- File leader, the soldier at the front of any file, who covers and leads those in rear of him. -- File marching, the marching of a line two deep, when faced to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank march side by side. Brande *** C. --Indian file, or Single file, a line of men marching one behind another] a single row. -- On file, preserved in an orderly collection. -- Rank and file. (a) The body of soldiers constituing the mass of an army, including corporals and privates. Wilhelm. (b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.

8. To bring before a court or legislative body by presenting proper papers in a regular way] as, to file a petition or bill.
   
   
   Burrill.
9. Anything employed to smooth, polish, or rasp, literally or figuratively.
   
   

   Mock the nice touches of the critic's file. Akenside.

10. To smooth or polish as with a file.
    
    
    Shak.

    File your tongue to a little more courtesy. Sir W. Scott.

11. To put upon the files or among the records of a court; to note on (a paper) the fact date of its reception in court.
    
    

    To file a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official custody of the clerk. To file, on the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper the date of its reception, and retain it in his office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may concern. Burrill.

12. A shrewd or artful person.
    
    
    [Slang] Fielding.

    Will is an old file in spite of his smooth face. Thackeray.

    Bastard file, Cross file, etc. See under Bastard, Cross, etc. -- Cross-cut file, a file having two sets of teeth crossing obliquely. -- File blank, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for cutting to form a file. -- File cutter, a maker of files. -- Second-cut file, a file having teeth of a grade next finer than bastard. -- Single-cut file, a file having only one set of parallel teeth; a float. -- Smooth file, a file having teeth so fine as to make an almost smooth surface.