Verzeichnisses

Verzeichnisses is the genitive singular form of Verzeichnis, a neuter German noun with several related senses. Verzeichnis primarily means a directory, a list, or an index that groups items for reference. In everyday language and specialized fields it can denote a folder in a computer file system, a catalog in a library, or a register in administrative contexts.

Etymology and form: Verzeichnis derives from the German verb verzeichnen, meaning to enumerate or record, with the noun-forming suffix -nis. In modern spelling the base noun is Verzeichnis, while the genitive singular is des Verzeichnisses. The form Verzeichnisses appears only as a grammatical case ending within a sentence, not as a separate lexical item.

Usage and contexts: In computing, Verzeichnis refers to a directory that contains files and possibly subdirectories, forming a hierarchical structure often described as a Verzeichnisbaum or directory tree. In libraries and bibliographies, Verzeichnis can mean an index or list of contents, such as ein Verzeichnis der Werke eines Autors. In documentation or administrative writing, phrases like die Struktur des Verzeichnisses or die Inhalte des Verzeichnisses illustrate possession expressed by the genitive.

Notes: Verzeichnisses is not a standalone concept; it is simply the genitive form of Verzeichnis. Care is needed to distinguish singular genitive des Verzeichnisses from plural forms der Verzeichnisse. Related terms include Verzeichnis, Unterverzeichnis, Verzeichnisstruktur, and Index.