Obs. [perh. a variant form of VILE used absol.] A worthless person (male or female); a rascal.

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a. 1300.  Cursor M., 715 (Cott.). Sorful bicom þat fals file.

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c. 1300.  Havelok, 2498.

        That men mithe thethen a mile
Here him rore, that fule file.

3

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 95. Þat did Roberd trauaile for nouht, he was a file.

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c. 1450.  Douce MS., 559 (Bodleian), Quest. 240. My brotheres wyfe may be a fyle.

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