[ dɪ'rɛkt , dʌɪ- ]
■ adjective
1》 going from one place to another without changing ~ion or stopping.
↘ Astronomy & Astrology (of apparent planetary motion) proceeding from west to east in accord with actual motion.
2》 straightforward; frank.
↘(of proof) clear; unambiguous.
3》 without intervening factors or intermediaries: the complications are a ~ result of bacteria spreading.
↘(of light or heat) proceeding from a source without being reflected or blocked.
↘(of descent) proceeding in continuous succession from parent to child.
4》 perpendicular to a surface.
■ adverb in a ~ way or by a ~ route.
■ verb
1》 control the operations of.
↘supervise and control (a film, play, or other production).
2》 aim in a particular ~ion or at a particular person.
↘tell or show (someone) the way.
3》 give an order to.
Derivatives
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from L. ~us , past participle of dirigere , from di- 'distinctly' or de- 'down' + regere 'put straight'.