All 50 Uses of
direct
in
David Copperfield
- CHAPTER 3 I HAVE A CHANGE The carrier's horse was the laziest horse in the world, I should hope, and shuffled along, with his head down, as if he liked to keep people waiting to whom the packages were directed.†
Chpt 1-3
- The incident is so impressed on my remembrance, that if I were a draughtsman I could draw its form here, I dare say, accurately as it was that day, and little Em'ly springing forward to her destruction (as it appeared to me), with a look that I have never forgotten, directed far out to sea.†
Chpt 1-3
- He pointed to the washing-stand, which I had made out to be like Mrs. Gummidge, and motioned me with his head to obey him directly.†
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2)
- Therefore I gave him one of my three bright shillings, which he received with much humility and veneration, and spun up with his thumb, directly afterwards, to try the goodness of.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)directly = immediately
- How well I recollect our sitting there, talking in whispers; or their talking, and my respectfully listening, I ought rather to say; the moonlight falling a little way into the room, through the window, painting a pale window on the floor, and the greater part of us in shadow, except when Steerforth dipped a match into a phosphorus-box, when he wanted to look for anything on the board, and shed a blue glare over us that was gone directly!
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)directly = in a short time
- 'I believe not directly,' he returned.†
Chpt 7-9 (definition 2)
- I kissed her, and went upstairs with my candle directly, before they came in.†
Chpt 7-9 (definition 2)
- 'Young or old, Davy dear, as long as I am alive and have this house over my head,' said Peggotty, 'you shall find it as if I expected you here directly minute.†
Chpt 10-12 (definition 2)
- 'Done with you for a tanner!' said the long-legged young man, and directly got upon his cart, which was nothing but a large wooden tray on wheels, and rattled away at such a rate, that it was as much as I could do to keep pace with the donkey.†
Chpt 10-12 (definition 2)
- This modesty of mine directed my attention to the marine-store shops, and such shops as Mr. Dolloby's, in preference to the regular dealers.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)directed = pointed or focused
- One said she lived in the South Foreland Light, and had singed her whiskers by doing so; another, that she was made fast to the great buoy outside the harbour, and could only be visited at half-tide; a third, that she was locked up in Maidstone jail for child-stealing; a fourth, that she was seen to mount a broom in the last high wind, and make direct for Calais.†
Chpt 13-15
- I was going away, when he directed my attention to the kite.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)directed = pointed or focused
- Your sister Betsey Trotwood would have told me what she thought of anyone, directly.†
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- 'And whose appearance,' interposed his sister, directing general attention to me in my indefinable costume, 'is perfectly scandalous and disgraceful.'†
Chpt 13-15
- Mr. Dick considered, hesitated, brightened, and rejoined, 'Have him measured for a suit of clothes directly.'†
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- 'Do you think I don't know,' said my aunt, turning a deaf ear to the sister, and continuing to address the brother, and to shake her head at him with infinite expression, 'what kind of life you must have led that poor, unhappy, misdirected baby?†
Chpt 13-15
- But I remarked that the Old Soldier took him into custody directly, for her partner; and instructed him, as the first preliminary of initiation, to give her all the silver he had in his pocket.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- I was so shocked by the contents of this heart-rending letter, that I ran off directly towards the little hotel with the intention of taking it on my way to Doctor Strong's, and trying to soothe Mr. Micawber with a word of comfort.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)directly = immediately
- Adams is going to be called to the bar almost directly, and is to be an advocate, and to wear a wig.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- I turned directly, came back, and looked again.†
Chpt 19-21 (definition 2)
- But his easy, spirited good humour; his genial manner, his handsome looks, his natural gift of adapting himself to whomsoever he pleased, and making direct, when he cared to do it, to the main point of interest in anybody's heart; bound her to him wholly in five minutes.†
Chpt 19-21
- Spenlow's in Court, ma'am,' said the dry man; 'it's an Arches day; but it's close by, and I'll send for him directly.'†
Chpt 22-24 (definition 2)
- The advertisement directed us to apply to Mrs. Crupp on the premises, and we rung the area bell, which we supposed to communicate with Mrs. Crupp.†
Chpt 22-24
- Something in the emphasis he laid upon the kindling of those sparks, and something in the glance he directed at me as he said it, had made me start as if I had seen him illuminated by a blaze of light.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)directed = aimed, or intended for
- But as I had none but passing thoughts for any subject save Dora, I glanced at her, directly afterwards, and was thinking that I saw, in her prettily pettish manner, that she was not very much inclined to be particularly confidential to her companion and protector, when a bell rang, which Mr. Spenlow said was the first dinner-bell, and so carried me off to dress.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)directly = immediately
- 'It was but the gentleman which died here before yourself,' said Mrs. Crupp, 'that fell in love — with a barmaid — and had his waistcoats took in directly, though much swelled by drinking.'†
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)
- 'I beg your pardon, sir, I was directed to come in.†
Chpt 28-30 *
- He said it with a curious smile, which was gone directly; and we went into the room and found her alone.
Chpt 28-30 (definition 1)directly = in a short time
- I wouldn't wish to mention it before my daughter Minnie — for she'd take me up directly — but I never did.†
Chpt 28-30 (definition 2)
- I bade good night to Mr. Omer, and to Mr. and Mrs. Joram; and directed my steps thither, with a solemn feeling, which made Mr. Barkis quite a new and different creature.†
Chpt 28-30
- During this interval, I glanced at Ham again, and observing the same expression on his face, and his eyes still directed to the distant light, I touched his arm.†
Chpt 31-33
- I saw, directly, in his mother's face, that she knew from himself what he had done.†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- All the understanding that I had now of his misdirected energy, became an understanding of her character too, and a perception that it was, in its strongest springs, the same.†
Chpt 31-33
- Mr. Spenlow had stepped out, old Tiffey said, to get a gentleman sworn for a marriage licence; but as I knew he would be back directly, our place lying close to the Surrogate's, and to the Vicar-General's office too, I told Peggotty to wait.
Chpt 31-33 (definition 1)directly = in a short time
- She filled my heart with such good resolutions, strengthened my weakness so, by her example, so directed — I know not how, she was too modest and gentle to advise me in many words — the wandering ardour and unsettled purpose within me, that all the little good I have done, and all the harm I have forborne, I solemnly believe I may refer to her.†
Chpt 34-36
- It was impossible to resist kissing Jip, when she held him up to me for that purpose, putting her own bright, rosy little mouth into kissing form, as she directed the operation, which she insisted should be performed symmetrically, on the centre of his nose.†
Chpt 37-39
- She seemed to think she had quite settled the question, and gave me such a triumphant little kiss, direct from her innocent heart, that I would hardly have put her out of conceit with her answer, for a fortune.
Chpt 37-39 (definition 3) *direct = straight (without anything in between)
- The house was roused up directly, and three of them went out along the road.†
Chpt 37-39 (definition 2)
- In the trouble of this state of mind — not exclusively my own, I hope, but known to others — I went down to Norwood that night; and finding from one of the servants, when I made my inquiries at the door, that Miss Mills was there, got my aunt to direct a letter to her, which I wrote.†
Chpt 37-39
- As it is, I'm sure I'll take off mother directly, and only too appy.†
Chpt 37-39 (definition 2)
- 'Dear Agnes,' I said, 'it is presumptuous for me, who am so poor in all in which you are so rich — goodness, resolution, all noble qualities — to doubt or direct you; but you know how much I love you, and how much I owe you.†
Chpt 37-39
- I had some association with it, that struck upon my heart directly; but I was thinking of anything else when it came upon me, and was confused.†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)
- A fifty pound Bank note, in a sheet of paper, directed to me, and put underneath the door in the night.†
Chpt 40-42
- He directed his eyes at me in that sidelong glance again, and he made his face very lantern-jawed, for the greater convenience of scraping, as he answered: 'Oh dear, I am not referring to the Doctor!
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)directed = pointed, aimed, or focused
- Agnes said she was afraid I must have given her an unpromising character; but Dora corrected that directly.†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)
- While the visit at the Doctor's was still in progress, I observed that the postman brought two or three letters every morning for Uriah Heep, who remained at Highgate until the rest went back, it being a leisure time; and that these were always directed in a business-like manner by Mr. Micawber, who now assumed a round legal hand.†
Chpt 40-42
- There was an anxious expression in them, but it cleared directly.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 2)
- The Doctor was engaged with someone in his study; but the visitor would be gone directly, Mrs. Strong said, and begged us to remain and see him.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 2)
- When we arrived at the house, I was directed to Miss Dartle in the garden, and left to make my presence known to her myself.†
Chpt 46-48
- Hither I directed my walk.†
Chpt 46-48
Definitions:
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(1) (direct as in: depart directly) without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else firsteditor's notes: You may see the term direct flight used in a technical manner that is not as quick as a non-stop flight. In technical usage, a direct flight from Los Angeles to New York could stop at a city on the way, but you would not get off the plane during the stop.
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(2) (direct as in: directed her question to) to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an objectThe exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" -- aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" -- aimed a question
- "directed her north" -- pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" -- focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." -- guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." -- gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." -- steered it
- "directed the letter to" -- send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
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(3) (direct as in: directly above; or buy direct from) straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in betweenThe exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." -- straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." -- exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." -- unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." -- personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." -- close
- "a direct gaze" -- straight, steady, or focused--not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
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(direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands