directory

directory
I
adj
A provision in a statute, rule of procedure, or the like, which is a mere direction or instruction of no obligatory force, and involving no invalidating consequence for its disregard, as opposed to an imperative or mandatory provision, which must be followed.
The general rule is that the prescriptions of a statute relating to the performance of a public duty are so far directory that, though neglect of them may be punishable, yet it does not affect the validity of the acts done under them, as in the case of a statute requiring an officer to prepare and deliver a document to another officer on or before a certain day.
A "directory" provision in a statute is one, the observance of which is not necessary to the validity of the proceeding to which it relates; one which leaves it optional with the department or officer to which it is addressed to obey or not as he may see fit. Generally, statutory provisions which do not relate to essence of thing to be done, and as to which compliance is matter of convenience rather than substance are "directory," while provisions which relate to essence of thing to be done, that is, matters of substance, are "mandatory." Rodgers v. Meredith, 274 Ala. 179, 146 So.2d 308, 310.
Under a general classification, statutes are either "mandatory" or "directory," and, if mandatory, they prescribe, in addition to requiring the doing of the things specified, the result that will follow if they are not done, whereas, if directory, their terms are limited to what is required to be done. A statute is mandatory when the provision of the statute is the essence of the thing required to be done; otherwise, when it relates to form and manner, and where an act is incident, or after jurisdiction acquired, it is directory merely
II
n.
Book containing names, addresses, and occupations of inhabitants of city. Also any list or compilation, usually in book or pamphlet form, of persons, professional organizations, firms or corporations forming some class separate and distinct from others, e.g. telephone directory, lawyer's directory, hotel directory, etc

Black's law dictionary. . 1990.

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  • directory — di‧rec‧to‧ry [daɪˈrektri, d ] noun directories PLURALFORM [countable] 1. a book or list of names, facts etc, usually arranged in alphabetical order: • I couldn t find your number in the telephone directory. • a new business directory • the …   Financial and business terms

  • directory — I noun catalogue, guidebook, handbook, index, manual, reference book, reference work II index roll Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • directory — [də rek′tə rē; ] also [ dīrek′tə rē] adj. [LL directorius] directing, guiding, or advising n. pl. directories [ML directorium < LL directorius] 1. a book of directions, as for church service 2. a book listing the names, addresses, etc. of a… …   English World dictionary

  • Directory — Di*rect o*ry, a. [L. directorius.] Containing directions; enjoining; instructing; directorial. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Directory — Directory, in der englischen Kirche die auf Veranlassung des Parlaments 1644 von einem Verein von Theologen abgefaßte Verordnung für den Gottesdienst. Die Verwerfung dieses D. durch Karl I. trug wesentlich zu dessen Sturz bei …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Directory — Directory, die von engl. Theologen 1644 auf Anordnung des Parlaments abgefaßte Vorschrift für den Gottesdienst …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Directory —   [engl.], in der Dateiverwaltung so viel wie Verzeichnis. Im Zusammenhang mit der Dateizuordnungstabelle von DOS bedeutet der Begriff Inhaltsverzeichnis …   Universal-Lexikon

  • directory — /di rektəri/, it. /di rɛktori/ s. ingl. (propr. elenco, guida ), usato in ital. al femm. (inform.) [ciascuna partizione della memoria di un elaboratore elettronico, nella quale l utente colloca più documenti e files ] ▶◀ cartella …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • directory — (n.) 1540s, guide, book of rules, from M.L. directorium, noun use of neut. of L. directorius, from directus (see DIRECT (Cf. direct) (v.)). Meaning alphabetical listing of inhabitants of a region is from 1732; listing of telephone numbers is from …   Etymology dictionary

  • directory — /diˈrɛktori, ingl. dɪˈrɛktərɪ/ [vc. ingl., propr. «libro, elenco di istruzioni»] s. f. inv. (elab., com.) cartella, folder (ingl.) …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

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