I. də̇ˈrektiv, -tēv also dīˈ- or -təv adjective
Etymology: Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French directif, from Medieval Latin directivus, from Latin directus (past participle of dirigere to direct, guide) + -ivus -ive — more at dress
1. : serving or qualified to lead, guide, or govern thought or action usually by prompting and impelling rather than by dominating
the directive power of conscience
experimenting to find which is superior, the permissive or the directive method of teaching
every manager who has at least one subordinate engages in the directive function — Harold Koontz & Cyril O'Donnell
2. : serving to point direction
the directive power of a magnetized needle
the directive function of a compass
specifically : directional 1c
a more directive aerial
3. : pointing the way : concentrating or focusing on an objective : selective as to tendency or trend
like the realities of the external environment they exercise a directive influence on the development of behavior patterns — Ralph Linton
4. : of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action, attainment, or goal:
a. : a pronouncement urging or banning some action or conduct : bidding
leaders became too fond of passing down directives to the members instead of calling for a vote
also : a sharp or peremptory word of command
“keep your head down!” … and a heavy hand on top of his head added persuasion to the directive — Helen Nielsen
b. : an assignment, instruction, or injunction by a superior
the verdict of the people in the recent election constituted a directive — B.C.Reece
c. : an advisory instruction or set of directions
progress has been hampered by inadequate coordination, lack of clear directives — Economist
dependent on the directives of the guidebook and the hotel porter
d. : an ideological, traditional, cultural, or moral influence or principle : exemplar
folk wisdom preserves many directives — L.J.Davidson
they were not trained in a school of science which accepts Marxism-Leninism as the supreme directive — C.P.Fitzgerald
e. : a communication that initiates or governs action, conduct, or procedures
f. : an authoritative instrument that promulgates a program or regulation or directs or prohibits certain acts and that is issued by a high-level official body or competent official as a broad policy statement to be developed by technicians or as an explicit instruction with details ; usually : such an instrument of a national regime or international body especially of a head of a government or an administrative bureau whose decrees have the force of an executive order
a relatively new administrative device called the “ directive ” … was frequently used by the president and other high officials to explain, modify, or amplify an order — C.O.Johnson
he issued a stream of directives that in their entirety imposed a far-reaching social revolution upon Japan — Allan Taylor
directives which actually have the force of law — H.W.Sumners
2. : directive mesentery