Reading Theme:
Directory Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：digital folder (directory)
directory
/dɪˈrɛktəri/
n.
A place on a computer to store and organize files, often shown as a folder icon.
digital folder
➕
/ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈfoʊldər/
n.
A virtual container within a computer's file system used to organize and store digital files, analogous to a physical folder.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'dirigere' (to set straight, direct), via medieval Latin 'directorium' (guide).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'Direct Your Story'. A directory directs you to where your files or contact information is 'stored'.
📖 Example
I organized all my vacation photos by creating a new directory on my laptop called ‘Summer Travel 2023’.
This sentence describes organizing digital photos by creating a new folder on a computer.
🔗 Collocations
root directory – The primary or top-level folder in a file system hierarchy.
directory structure – The organized hierarchy of folders and subfolders.
create a directory – To make a new folder for file organization.
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
subdirectory (n.) – A directory located within another directory.
📖 Cultural Story
Emerged from Medieval Latin 'directorium', meaning 'guide' or 'set of rules'. It was first used in the Renaissance for book indexes. The term 'telephone directory' became common in the late 19th century, and later applied to computer file systems, reflecting its core function of guiding users to information.
Meaning 2：listing book (directory)
directory
/dɪˈrɛktəri/
n.
A book or website that lists names and contact information of people or organizations, like a phone book.
listing book
➕
/ˈlɪstɪŋ bʊk/
n.
A published or digital reference work that lists individuals, organizations, or businesses systematically, usually with contact details.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Before the internet, we used to look up a dentist's phone number in the yellow pages directory.
This sentence explains how people found contact information using a printed phone book in the past.
🔗 Collocations
telephone directory – A book listing telephone numbers of subscribers, commonly known as a phone book.
business directory – A listing of companies within a specific region or industry.
staff directory – A list of employees within an organization, often with contact details.
Wordbook
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