1. ORmat> A single file containing one OR (usually) mORe separate files plus infORmation to allow them to be extracted (separated) by a suitable program. Archives are usually created fOR software distribution ORbackup. tar is a common fORmat fORUnix archives, and arcORPKZIP fORMS-DOS and Microsoft Windows. 2. To transfer files to slower, cheaper media (usually magnetic tape) to free the hard disk space they occupied. This is now nORmally done fOR long-term stORage but in the 1960s, when disk was much mORe expensive, files were often shuffled regularly between disk and tape. 3. ORking> archive site. (1996-12-08)