I. də-ˈrekt, dī- verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : 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 direct s his appeals to intelligence
2.
a. : to regulate the activities or course of
b. : to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of
direct a project
c. : to dominate and determine the course of
d. : to train and lead performances of
direct a movie
3. : to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course
X rays are direct ed through the body
4. : to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course
direct the nozzle downward
5. : to request or enjoin with authority
the judge direct ed the jury to acquit the defendant
6. : to show or point out the way for
signs direct ing us to the entrance
intransitive verb
1. : to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure
2. : to act as director
Synonyms: see command , conduct
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin directus
Date: 15th century
1. : having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde
2.
a. : stemming immediately from a source
direct result
b. : being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal
direct ancestor
c. : having no compromising or impairing element
a direct insult
3.
a. : proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : straight
a direct line
b. : proceeding by the shortest way
the direct route
4. : natural , straightforward
a direct manner
5.
a. : marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence
making direct observations of nature
b. : effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives
direct democracy
c. : consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
a direct quotation
6. : characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship
direct evidence
7. : capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant
III. adverb
Date: 14th century
: in a direct way: as
a. : from point to point without deviation : by the shortest way
flew direct to Miami
b. : from the source without interruption or diversion
the writer must take his material direct from life — Douglas Stewart
c. : without an intervening agency or step
buy direct from the manufacturer