I. də-ˈrek(t)-lē, dī-, in sense 2 esp də-ˈrek-lē or ˈdrek-lē adverb
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : in a direct manner
directly relevant
the road runs directly east and west
b. : in immediate physical contact
c. : in the manner of direct variation
2.
a. : without delay : immediately
the second game followed directly after the first
b. : in a little while : shortly
we'll be leaving directly
II. də-ˈrek(t)-lē, dī-; ˈdrek-lē conjunction
Date: 1795
chiefly British : immediately after : as soon as
directly I received it I rang up the shipping company — F. W. Crofts