• Direct

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /dɪˈrÉ›kt/, /ËŒdaɪˈrÉ›kt/, /dɚˈɛkt/
    • Rhymes: -É›kt

    Origin

    From Latin dīrectus, perfect passive participle of dīrigō ("straighten, direct"), from dis- ("asunder, in pieces, apart, in two") + regō ("make straight, rule").

    Full definition of direct

    Adjective

    direct

    1. Straight, constant, without interruption.
    2. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.the most direct route between two buildings
    3. Straightforward; sincere.
      • ShakespeareBe even and direct with me.
    4. Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.
      • John LockeHe nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words.
      • Hallama direct and avowed interference with elections
    5. In the line of descent; not collateral.a descendant in the direct line
    6. (astronomy) In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; said of the motion of a celestial body.

    Antonyms

    Adverb

    direct

    1. Directly.
      • 2009, Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, Fourth Estate 2010, p. 346:Presumably Mary is to carry messages that she, Anne, is too delicate to convey direct.

    Verb

    1. To manage, control, steer.to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army
    2. To aim (something) at (something else).They directed their fire towards the men on the wall.He directed his question to the room in general.
    3. To point out or show to (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way.He directed me to the left-hand road.
      • Lubbockthe next points to which I will direct your attention
    4. To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.She directed them to leave immediately.
      • ShakespeareI'll first direct my men what they shall do.
    5. (dated) To put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent.to direct a letter

    Anagrams

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