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- DictionaryDi·rect/dəˈrek(t)/
adjective
- 1. extending or moving from one place to another by the shortest way without changing direction or stopping: "there was no direct flight that day" Similar straightundeviatingunswervingshortestquickestnonstopunbrokenuninterruptedstraight throughthroughOpposite indirect
- ▪ (of apparent planetary motion) proceeding from west to east in accord with actual motion.
- 2. without intervening factors or intermediaries: "the complications are a direct result of bacteria spreading" Similar face to facepersonalunmediatedhead-onimmediatefirsthandtête-à-têteinformal:from the horse's mouth
- ▪ (of light or heat) proceeding from a source without being reflected or blocked: "ferns like a bright position out of direct sunlight"
- ▪ (of genealogy) proceeding in continuous succession from parent to child: "a direct descendant of Edward III"
- ▪ (of a quotation) taken from someone's words without being changed.
- ▪ (of taxation) levied on income or profits rather than on goods or services.
- ▪ complete (used for emphasis): "nonviolence is the direct opposite of compulsion" Similar exactabsolutecompletediametricaldownrightthoroughextreme
- 3. (of a person or their behavior) going straight to the point; frank: "he is very direct and honest" Similar frankstraightforwardhonestcandidopensincerestraightstraight to the pointbluntplain-spokenoutspokenforthrightdownrightuninhibitedunreservedpoint blankno-nonsensematter-of-factbluffundiplomatictactlessnot afraid to call a spade a spadenot beating around the bushspeaking as one findsexplicitclearplainunequivocalunambiguousunqualifiedcategoricalinformal:straight from the shoulderupfrontOpposite evasive
- ▪ (of evidence or proof) bearing immediately and unambiguously upon the facts at issue: "there is no direct evidence that officials accepted bribes"
- 4. perpendicular to a surface; not oblique: "a direct butt joint between surfaces of steel"
adverb
- 1. with no one or nothing in between: "buy direct and save"
- ▪ by a straight route or without breaking a journey: "Austrian Airlines is flying direct to Innsbruck again"
verb
- 1. control the operations of; manage or govern: "an economic elite directed the nation's affairs" Similar administermanageruncontrolgovernconducthandlebe in charge ofbe in control ofbe in command ofbe the boss ofleadheadcommandrulepreside overexercise control overbe responsible forbe at the helm ofsupervisesuperintendoverseeguideregulateorchestratecoordinateengineermastermindinformal:run the showcall the shotscall the tunepull the stringsbe in the driving seatbe in the saddle
- ▪ supervise and control (a movie, play, or other production, or the actors in it): "the film is directed by Sir Richard Attenborough"
- ▪ train and conduct (a group of musicians).
- 2. aim (something) in a particular direction or at a particular person: "heating ducts to direct warm air to rear-seat passengers" Similar aimpointleveladdress tointend formean fordestine forfocus ontrain onturn onfix on
- ▪ tell or show (someone) how to get somewhere: "can you direct me to the railroad station, please?" Similar give directions toshow/point/indicate the wayguidesteerleadconductaccompanyusherescortnavigatepilot
- ▪ address or give instructions for the delivery of (a letter or parcel): "put them all in one packet, and direct them to me" Similar addresslabelsuperscribesendmaildispatchpost
- ▪ focus or concentrate (one's attention, efforts, or feelings) on: "we direct our anger and frustration at family"
- ▪ address a comment to or aim a criticism at: "I suggest that he direct his remarks to the council"
- ▪ target a product specifically at (someone): "the book is directed at the younger reader" Similar targetmarketorient towardpitch to/towarddesign fortailor to
- ▪ guide or advise (someone or their judgment) in a course or decision: archaic "the conscience of the credulous prince was directed by saints and bishops"
- 3. give (someone) an official order or authoritative instruction: "the judge directed him to perform community service" Similar instructtellcommandordergive orders tochargecall onrequiredictateadjureenjoinliterary:bid
Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin directus, past participle of dirigere, from di- ‘distinctly’ or de- ‘down’ + regere ‘put straight’.
Scrabble Points: 9
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2I
1R
1E
1C
3T
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