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archive

ar·chive [ r kv ]


noun  (plural ar·chives)
Definition:
 
1. collection of documents: a collection of documents such as letters, official papers, photographs, or recorded material, kept for their historical interest ( often used in the plural )
We'll have to check the archives.

2. place where archives are held: a building or room that houses archives

3. comput backup of computer files: a copy of computer files stored, often in compressed form, on tape or disk

4. comput file of compressed computer files: a computer file containing other compressed files

5. online Internet directory: a directory of files that Internet users can access using anonymous File Transfer Protocol



transitive verb  (past and past participle ar·chived, present participle ar·chiv·ing, 3rd person present singular ar·chives)
Definition:
 
1. put document in archive: to store a document in an archive

2. comput store data externally: to transfer data from a computer's hard disk to a disk or, formerly, a tape for storage. Optical disks are used to archive files as they are more reliable than floppy disks for long-term storage.

3. comput combine computer files: to store compressed copies of computer files in a single file

[Early 17th century. Via French< Latin archiva archia< Greek arkheia "things kept at the public office," plural of arkheion "ruler's house, public office" < arkhē "beginning, government"]

ar·chi·val [ aar kv'l ] adjective
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