All 13 Uses of
direct
in
Main Street
- She could not look directly at people.†
Chpt 9 *
- She had walked northward toward the upper shore of Plover Lake, taking to the railroad track, whose directness and dryness make it the natural highway for pedestrians on the plains.†
Chpt 12 (definition 1)
- They came to the cloudy bulk of a barn whose outer wall was directly upon the road.†
Chpt 15 *
- Going to tell fellows that have been making movies for ten years how to direct 'em; and tell architects how to build towns; and make the magazines publish nothing but a lot of highbrow stories about old maids, and about wives that don't know what they want.†
Chpt 16
- Carol was made president and director.†
Chpt 17 (definition 2)
- …. to no one is greater credit to be given than to Mrs. Will Kennicott on whose capable shoulders fell the burden of directing.†
Chpt 18 *
- To Gopher Prairie the tracks were eternal verities, and boards of railroad directors an omnipotence.†
Chpt 19 (definition 2)
- She taught French, English, and history, and the Sophomore Latin class, which dealt in matters of a metaphysical nature called Indirect Discourse and the Ablative Absolute.†
Chpt 21 *
- You use it at 'banquets' and directors' meetings, and boast of your climb from a humble homestead."†
Chpt 23 (definition 2)
- Fifty times had the mention of Barney Cahoon, the town drayman, like a nickel in a slot produced from Kennicott the apocryphal story of Barney's directing a minister, "Come down to the depot and get your case of religious books—they're leaking!"†
Chpt 24
- But I——Of course I've always had to work hard, and study by myself, and I'm probably sloppy, and I'd love it if I had training in rehearsing—I mean, the crankier the director was, the better I'd like it.†
Chpt 28 (definition 2) *
- Maternally, "I think it's extremely nice of you to want to be trained in—in enunciation by a stage-director.†
Chpt 28 (definition 2)
- An event which did not directly touch them brought down his wrath.
Chpt 36 (definition 1) *directly = in a straightforward manner (an uncomplicated manner)
Definitions:
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(1) (direct as in: was direct in my instructions) straightforward (uncomplicated or simple -- perhaps also indicating openness and honesty, or little concern for others' feelings)
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(2) (direct as in: directed the movie) supervise, control, or to be in charge of
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(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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(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 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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(direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands