All 8 Uses of
direct
in
The Grapes of Wrath
- There's a board of directors.
Chpt 5 (definition 1) *board of directors = members of a board that oversees the affairs of a corporation or other institution
- The gray cat came out of the barn shed and trotted miaowing toward the fire, but, nearly there, it turned and went directly to one of the little piles of rabbit entrails on the ground.
Chpt 6 (definition 2) *directly = straight (immediately--without going anywhere else first)
- Her whole thought and action were directed inward on the baby.
Chpt 10 (definition 3)directed = focused
- They went directly to the mud puddle under the hose and dug their toes into the mud.
Chpt 15 (definition 2)directly = straight (without delay or interruption)
- He went directly to the Dodge and crawled under on his back.
Chpt 16 (definition 2)
- Al crawled under on his belly and directed the beam of the flashlight.
Chpt 16 (definition 3)directed = aimed
- The land fell into fewer hands, the number of the dispossessed increased, and every effort of the great owners was directed at repression.
Chpt 19 (definition 3) *directed = focused
- The kettle rattled over the direct fire, rattled and wheezed.
Chpt 26 (definition 4) *direct = without anything in between
Definitions:
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(1) (direct as in: directed the movie) supervise, control, or to be in charge of
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(2) (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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(3) (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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(4) (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