Dir

/dɪr/ noun

Definition

Abbreviation for directory in computing, referring to a folder that contains files and other directories.

Etymology

Shortened from 'directory', which comes from Medieval Latin 'directorium' meaning 'a guide'. In computing, adopted in the 1960s from the concept of a telephone directory as an organized list of contents.

Kelly Says

The 'dir' command in DOS and Windows command line has remained virtually unchanged since the 1980s, making it one of the most enduring pieces of computer interface design. Its simplicity and effectiveness have made it a model for command-line tools across operating systems.

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