directories

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Directory \Di*rect"o*ry\, n.; pl. {Directories}.
   1. A collection or body of directions, rules, or ordinances;
      esp., a book of directions for the conduct of worship; as,
      the Directory used by the nonconformists instead of the
      Prayer Book.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A book containing the names and residences of the
      inhabitants of any place, or of classes of them; an
      address book; as, a business directory.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. [Cf. F. directoire.] A body of directors; board of
      management; especially, a committee which held executive
      power in France under the first republic.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Direction; guide. [R.] --Whitlock.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

directory
directories
folder

   <file system> A node in a hierarchical {file system} which
   contains zero or more other nodes - generally, {files} or
   other directories.

   The term "folder" is sometimes used in systems such as the
   {Macintosh} or {Microsoft Windows} in which directories are
   traditionally depicted as folders (like small briefcases).

   (2007-02-21)