folder
UK: ˈfəʊldə | US: ˈfoʊldər
n. a folded sheet of paper or cardboard, used for holding loose papers
n. a digital directory that stores files on a computer
n. a person or thing that folds
The word "folder" combines the verb "fold" (from Old English fealdan, meaning "to bend or double over") with the agentive suffix "-er," which denotes a person or tool performing an action. Originally referring to physical objects like paper or fabric that could be bent, the term evolved in the digital age to describe virtual containers (e.g., computer folders) that "hold" files metaphorically. The logic mirrors the physical function—just as a paper folder organizes documents, a digital folder structures data.
She placed the documents in a blue folder labeled "Taxes."
Create a new folder on your desktop to organize the project files.
The machine includes an automatic folder for precise paper creasing.
He works as a folder in a textile factory, preparing fabrics for packaging.
The teacher handed out a folder with worksheets for the semester.