/ dəˈrektɪv; NAmE ; dɪ-; daɪ-/ noun , adjective
■ noun
an official instruction :
The EU has issued a new set of directives on pollution.
■ adjective
( formal ) giving instructions :
They are seeking a central, directive role in national energy policy.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as an adjective): from medieval Latin directivus , from direct- guided, put straight, from the verb dirigere , from di- distinctly or de- down + regere put straight.