[di.rect] vb [ME, fr. L directus straight, fr. pp. of dirigere to direct--more at dress] vt (14c) 1 a obs: to write (a letter) to a person b: to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient c: to impart orally d: to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability "a lawyer who ~s his appeals to intelligence"
2. a: to regulate the activities or course of b: to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of c: to dominate and determine the course of d: to train and lead performances of
3: to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course "X rays are ~ed through the body"
4: to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course
5: to request or enjoin with authority
6: to show or point out the way for ~ vi 1: to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure
2: to act as director syn see command, conduct
[2]direct adj [ME, fr. L directus] (15c) 1 of a celestial body: moving in the general planetary direction from west to east: not retrograde
2. a: stemming immediately from a source "~ result" b: being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring: lineal "~ ancestor" c: having no compromising or impairing element "~ insult" 3 a: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption: straight b: proceeding by the shortest way "the ~ route"
4: natural, straightforward "~ manner"
5. a: marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence b: effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives "~ democracy" c: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
6: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship "~ evidence" 7: capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant [3]direct adv (14c): in a direct way: as a: from point to point without deviation: by the shortest way "flew ~ to Miami" b: from the source without interruption or diversion "the writer must take his material ~ from life --Douglas Stewart" c: without an intervening agency or step "buy ~ from the manufacturer"