file

The Sailor's Word-Book

Originally a string of soldiers one behind the other, though in the present formation of British troops, the length of the string has been reduced to two.

♦ An old file. A somewhat contemptuous epithet for a deep and cunning, but humorous person.

Related Words

File
·noun A roll or list. II. File ·noun A shrewd or artful person. III. File ·vt To smooth or polish ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
file
A pick pocket. To file; to rob or cheat. The file, or bungnipper, goes generally in company with two...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
File closer
·add. ·- A commissioned or noncommissioned officer posted in the rear of a line, or on the flank of ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
file cloy
A pick pocket. To file; to rob or cheat. The file, or bungnipper, goes generally in company with two...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
rum file
See rum diver. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
file-fish
n. name given in NewZealand to the fish Monacanthus rudis, Richards, family Sclerodermi; in New Sou...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
indian file
Single file; the usual way in which the Indians traverse the woods or march to battle, one following...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
bulk and file
Two pickpockets; the bulk jostles the party to be robbed, and the file does the business. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
buttock and file
A common whore and a pick-pocket. Cant. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
file off, to
To march off to a flank by files, or with a very small front. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
rank and file
This word includes corporals as well as privates, all below sergeants. (See file.) ...

The Sailor's Word-Book