directory
/dɪˈrektərɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)
1
- a book listing individuals or organizations alphabetically or thematically with details such as names, addresses, and telephone numbers名址录; 电话号码簿。
1.1
- Computing a file which consists solely of a set of other files (which may themselves be directories)【计算机】（包含其他文件或目录的）目录。
2
- chiefly historical a book of directions for the conduct of Christian worship, especially in Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches〈主史〉（尤指长老会和罗马天主教会的）礼拜规则书。
3
- (the Directory) the French revolutionary government in France 1795-9, comprising two councils and a five-member executive. It maintained an aggressive foreign policy, but could not control events at home and was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte.督政府（1795-1799年法国的革命政府, 由两个议会和五个督政官组成, 该政府在外交政策上野心勃勃, 但未能有效控制国内事务, 被拿破仑·波拿巴推翻）。
词源
late Middle English （in the general sense 'something that directs'）： from late Latin directorium, from director 'governor', from dirigere 'to guide'.