different between directory vs handbook

English

Etymology

From Middle English directorie, from Medieval Latin directorium.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d????kt??i/, /da????kt??i/

Noun

directory (plural directories)

1. A list of names, addresses etc, of specific classes of people or organizations, often in alphabetical order or in some classification.

2. (computing) A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
3. (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): folder

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

directory (not comparable)

1. Containing directions; instructing; directorial.

English

Etymology

1814, from hand +? book, or perhaps a reintroduction of Middle English hond book, hondebooke, from Old English handb?c (“handbook”), or a calque of German Handbuch (“handbook”). Compare Dutch handboek, Danish håndbog, Swedish handbok.

Noun

handbook (plural handbooks)

1. A topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, regardless of size.
2. (US, gambling) A place where illicit bets can be placed.
   • 1916, U.S. Congress. Senate. Committee on interstate commerce, Prevention of Transmission of Race-gambling Bets (page 23)

     The extent of the business done in this line is not understood by those who have not looked into it. In New York there are 50 pool rooms and 500 handbooks; in East St. Louis, 20 handbooks; in Chicago, 5 pool rooms and 200 handbooks; […]

   • 1961, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Government Operations. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Gambling and Organized Crime: Hearings

     Persons subject to his rule can be found operating, in addition to the wire service, wire service relays, handbooks, gambling houses, prostitution establishments, coin-operated device companies, bars, restaurants, night clubs, motels, […]

Coordinate terms

• manual

Translations

Anagrams

• book hand