la archive
archive
Definition & meaning
Archive is a feminine French noun: une archive. It refers to a document or record kept for reference, or to an item within a collection of historical or administrative records. The plural archives is especially common when referring to a collection or an archive service.
It can also be a verb form of archiver , meaning “to file” or “to archive”: for example, il archive means “he archives,” and qu’il archive means “that he archive.”
Grammar & Word origin
As a noun, archive is feminine: une archive. Its plural is archives.
The word comes through Latin archivum from Greek arkheion, meaning a public building or place where official records were kept.
Synonyms & antonyms
- document — a broad term for a written or recorded item; an archive is specifically kept as a record.
- dossier — a file or collection of related documents, not necessarily historical or preserved long-term.
- annales — historical records or chronicles, often arranged by year.
There is no exact antonym. destruction des archives (“destruction of the archives”) describes the opposite action or outcome, rather than an opposite word.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Chaque archive contient des histoires anciennes très intéressantes.noun
Each archive contains very interesting ancient stories.
Cette archive numérique contient toutes mes anciennes photos.noun
This digital archive contains all my old photos.
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