FILE Copy link • FILE 1. s. A thread, filum: linum. [Vid: THREAD.] Papers filed on a string. (The Romans, for that purpose, used the “scapus “[a sort of rolling-pin] to collect or wrap papers round, which latter was called “volumen”). A line of troops, ordo. Rank and file, milites gregarii (but only in a depreciating sense; as milites alone = “common soldiers;” opposed to officers). List of soldiers, etc., index (general term for catalogue): numeri (of soldiers; for which matricula was used late in time of emperors, Torrent., Suet., Vesp. 6). A mechanical instrument, lima; to rub or smooth with a file, lima persequi: perpolire. 2. v. To put on a string, inserere lino (e.g., pearls; Tert., Hub. Mul., 9, “margaritas inserere lino”): resticulam or resticulas perserere per etc. (to run a string through anything, in order to suspend the object afterward by it; e.g., resticulas per ficos maturas perserere, Varr., R.R., 1, 41, 5). To file a bill in a court of justice, [Vid: “bring an ACTION”]. To rub down with a file [Vid. FILE, substantive]. To file off, delimare (if with af, lima): descobinare (if with a rasp, scobina): also lima polire, PROP. and IMPROP. 3. v. INTRANS., perhaps in acie procedere.