/ dəˈrektəri; NAmE ; dɪ-; daɪ-/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
a book containing lists of information, usually in alphabetical order, for example people's telephone numbers or the names and addresses of businesses in a particular area :
a telephone / trade directory
a directory of European Trade Associations
2.
a file containing a group of other files or programs in a computer
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the general sense something that directs ): from late Latin directorium , from director governor, from dirigere to guide.