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Directory vs Archive - What's the difference?

directory | archive |

As nouns the difference between directory and archive

is that directory is a list of names, addresses etc, of specific classes of people or organizations, often in alphabetical order or in some classification while archive is a place for storing earlier, and often historical, material. An archive usually contains documents (letters, records, newspapers, etc.) or other types of media kept for historical interest.

As an adjective directory

is containing directions; instructing; directorial.

As a verb archive is

to put into an archive.

directory

English

(wikipedia directory)

Noun

(directories)
  • A list of names, addresses etc, of specific classes of people or organizations, often in alphabetical order or in some classification.
  • (computing) A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
  • (computing) A virtual container in a computer's file system, in which files and other directories may be stored. The files and subdirectories in a directory are usually related.

    • Synonyms

    * (structured listing)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Containing directions; instructing; directorial.

    • archive

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A place for storing earlier, and often historical, material. An archive usually contains documents (letters, records, newspapers, etc.) or other types of media kept for historical interest.
  • The material so kept, considered as a whole (compare archives).
    • His archive of Old High German language texts is the most extensive in Britain.

    Derived terms

    () * archival * archivist * national archive

    Verb

    (archiv)
  • To put into an archive.
    • I was planning on archiving the documents from 2001.