Wiktionary
metafile
n. (context computing English) Any file format that can store multiple types of data, typically a graphics file format.
Wikipedia
Metafile
Metafile is a generic term for a file format that can store multiple types of data. This commonly includes graphics file formats. These graphics files can contain raster, vector, and type data. A common use for these files is to provide support for an operating system's computer graphics; e.g., Microsoft Windows uses Windows Metafile, and Mac OS X uses PDF.
Some examples:
- ( PICT) Macintosh PICT resource, superseded by PDF in Mac OS X
- (WMF) Windows Metafile = (EMF) Enhanced Metafile
- (EPS) Encapsulated PostScript
- (CGM) Computer Graphics Metafile
- (PDF) Portable Document Format
- (CDR) Corel Draw File
- (SVG) Scalable Vector Graphics
- (WPG) Word Perfect Graphics File
- (RTF) Rich Text Format file