Dossier: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term originates from the French word 'dossier,' which means 'bundle of papers.'
• The word was first used in the English language in the early 19th century, reflecting the influence of French on English law and administration.
• In French, 'dos' means 'back,' implying that a dossier is a file that you keep on the back side of a matter.

Legal Significance

• In legal contexts, a dossier may include evidence, witness statements, and case law applicable to a court case.
• Law enforcement agencies often maintain a dossier on individuals suspected of criminal activity to track their history.
• The creation and management of a dossier can significantly impact legal proceedings and the rights of individuals involved.

Cultural Representation

• In popular culture, dossiers are often depicted in spy movies as secret files containing intelligence on targets.
• Many historical figures have dossiers, reflecting both their public and private lives, revealing details often omitted from biographies.
• Dossiers can be used in literature to aid in storytelling, providing readers with background information about characters or events.

Administrative Use

• Businesses often utilize dossiers to organize important documents related to projects, clients, or employees.
• In education, a student dossier may contain records of achievements, evaluations, and personal information to track progress.
• Nonprofit organizations create dossiers to keep detailed accounts and reports on their activities and funding sources.

Historical Context

• During World War II, nations created dossiers on other countries to collect intelligence about military activity and political movements.
• The notion of having a dossier on someone has historical ties to governmental surveillance and espionage, particularly during the Cold War.
• Cultural and political revolutions often involve the uncovering or leaking of controversial dossiers that reveal the misconduct of powerful figures.

Positioned at #24,175, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 24173 steepest
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• 24175 dossier
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