All 42 Uses of

direct

in

Pride and Prejudice

"Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought," said Mrs. Bennet; "and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle directly."
p. 21.9

directly = immediately

When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room.
p. 35.8

His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile.
p. 43.7

directed = pointed

"Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of
humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."
p. 47.8 *

indirect = not straightforward (not obvious and simple)

standard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indirect means not and reverses the meaning of direct. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.

The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting.
p. 47.8

He was directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing that he could imagine but two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together, with either of which motives his joining them would interfere.
p. 55.3

directly = immediately

Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a commission in their corps.
p. 71.4

On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities.
p. 71.8 *

This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was caught by Elizabeth, and, as it assured her that Darcy was not less answerable for Wickham's absence than if her first surmise had been just, every feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards approached to make.
p. 88.9

directly = in a short time

The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy; but Sir William's allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were dancing together.
p. 91.7

directed = pointed

She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; and on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Darcy's breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another.
p. 93.0

directed = focused

Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views were directed towards Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I can assure you there are many amiable young women.
p. 104.2

I will speak to her about it directly.
p. 108.7

directly = immediately

I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure.
p. 109.1

directly = straight (without delay or interruption)

She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to dine in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Hurst had a house.
p. 114.8

directly = immediately

Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St. James's.
p. 120.4

A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
p. 121.3

direct = straightforward (specific and to the point)

The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied: "Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza?"
p. 122.8

direct = clear

But there seems an indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her so soon after this event.
p. 151.5

directing = focusing

Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.
p. 162.8

direct = straightforward (specific and clear)

Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody.
p. 166.9

directly = immediately

When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument.
p. 169.9

She directly replied: "You need not be frightened."
p. 180.6

I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend's inclination, or why, upon his own judgement alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner his friend was to be happy.
p. 181.7 *

direct = instruct

She was proceeding directly to her favourite walk, when the recollection of Mr. Darcy's sometimes coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park, she turned up the lane, which led farther from the turnpike-road.
p. 190.2 *

directly = where stated (used for emphasis)

She was on the point of continuing her walk, when she caught a glimpse of a gentleman within the sort of grove which edged the park; he was moving that way; and, fearful of its being Mr. Darcy, she was directly retreating.
p. 190.7

directly = immediately

His sisters' uneasiness had been equally excited with my own; our coincidence of feeling was soon discovered, and, alike sensible that no time was to be lost in detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on joining him directly in London.
p. 193.6

Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her mother, though often disheartened, had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.
p. 215.6

It was not in their direct road, nor more than a mile or two out of it.†
p. 231.9

direct = straightest or quickest

Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, drawn when she was only eight years old.
p. 237.7 *

directed = pointed

The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love.
p. 249.9

In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and, oh! how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner.
p. 250.2

directed = focused

The express was sent off directly.
p. 261.2

directly = immediately

I will write to my sister Gardiner about them directly.
p. 289.9

Oh! how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him.
p. 309.2

directed = aimed (intended for)

Never had his wit been directed in a manner so little agreeable to her.
p. 343.3

directed = aimed

Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing his friend.
p. 350.9

directing = instructing

She was gone directly.
p. 355.8

directly = in a short time

My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last.
p. 360.2

directly = immediately

But it ought to done, and if you will give me a sheet of paper, it shall be done directly.
p. 361.3

They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it was some time before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and aunt, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene.†
p. 242.5

He had been some days in town, before he was able to discover them; but he had something to direct his search, which was more than we had; and the consciousness of this was another reason for his resolving to follow us.†
p. 305.2

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Best Example Sentences
From Other Sources
Grouped by 6 Meanings

Definitions:

(1) (direct as in: depart directly)
without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first

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.
(2) (direct as in: directly above; or buy direct from)
straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The 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
(3) (direct as in: was direct in my instructions)
straightforward (uncomplicated or simple -- perhaps also indicating openness and honesty, or little concern for others' feelings)
(4) (direct as in: directed her question to)
to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The 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
(5) (direct as in: directed the jury to...)
give instructions or commands
(6) (direct as in: directed the movie)
supervise, control, or to be in charge of
(7) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
Direct can take on many specialized meanings not included in this dictionary.
As an adjective or adverb, most all senses of direct involve an uninterrupted connection and/or clarity (clear, unambiguous communication) as in:
- direct action
- direct descendant
- direct line (with regard to genealogy)
- direct deposit
- direct object
- direct kick
- direct cost
- direct investment
- direct elections
- direct current
As a verb, most all of the senses of direct involve giving orders or aiming.

Page Numbers by Book Edition

direct in Pride and Prejudice

direct

in

Pride and Prejudice