5 meanings, 48 uses
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1 —1 use as in:
depart directly
Definition
without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
- While she was absent, and out of hearing, a small white spaniel that belonged to one of the chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to range near the place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (49% in)
directly = immediately
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —22 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Definition
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
- I would have pursued my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (5% in)
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- On the 5th of November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spied a rock within half a cable's length of the ship; but the wind was so strong, that we were driven directly upon it, and immediately split.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (3% in)
- They bury their dead with their heads directly downward, because they hold an opinion, that in eleven thousand moons they are all to rise again; in which period the earth (which they conceive to be flat) will turn upside down, and by this means they shall, at their resurrection, be found ready standing on their feet.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (64% in)
- There are some laws and customs in this empire very peculiar; and if they were not so directly contrary to those of my own dear country, I should be tempted to say a little in their justification.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (64% in)
- However, an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel nut directly at my head, which very narrowly missed me; otherwise it came with so much violence, that it would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large as a small pumpkin, but I had the satisfaction to see the young rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (23% in)
- Whereupon, the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly over my head, by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the back as I chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my face; but I received no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned at my desire, because I had given the provocation.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (48% in)
- ...to see them use me without any manner of ceremony, like a creature who had no sort of consequence: for they would strip themselves to the skin, and put on their smocks in my presence, while I was placed on their toilet, directly before their naked bodies, which I am sure to me was very far from being a tempting sight, or from giving me any other emotions than those of horror and disgust: their skins appeared so coarse and uneven, so variously coloured, when I saw...Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (53% in)
- For, I remember very well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say, "there were several thousand books among us written upon the art of government," it gave him (directly contrary to my intention) a very mean opinion of our understandings.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (78% in)
- On the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the hammock, I ordered the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to give me air in hot weather, as I slept; which hole I shut at pleasure with a board that drew backward and forward through a groove.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (85% in)
- I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened to the floor; and having made a hard shift to screw it down again, directly under the slipping-board that I had lately opened, I mounted on the chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, I called for help in a loud voice, and in all the languages I understood.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (89% in)
- They made signs for me to come down from the rock, and go towards the shore, which I accordingly did; and the flying island being raised to a convenient height, the verge directly over me, a chain was let down from the lowest gallery, with a seat fastened to the bottom, to which I fixed myself, and was drawn up by pulleys.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (9% in)
- Their heads were all reclined, either to the right, or the left; one of their eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (9% in)
- On these packthreads the people strung their petitions, which mounted up directly, like the scraps of paper fastened by school boys at the end of the string that holds their kite.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (16% in)
- Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end towards the earth, the island descends; but when the repelling extremity points downwards, the island mounts directly upwards.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (25% in)
- ...let the stone be turned upon its axle, till its attracting end points towards E, and then the island will be carried obliquely towards E; where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F, where, by directing the attracting end towards G, the island may be carried to G, and from G to H, by turning the stone, so as to make its repelling extremity to point directly downward.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (26% in)
- But if they still continue obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to the last remedy, by letting the island drop directly upon their heads, which makes a universal destruction both of houses and men.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (29% in)
- He likewise directed, "that every senator in the great council of a nation, after he had delivered his opinion, and argued in the defence of it, should be obliged to give his vote directly contrary; because if that were done, the result would infallibly terminate in the good of the public."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (54% in)
- The second was of an opinion directly contrary; "to tax those qualities of body and mind, for which men chiefly value themselves; the rate to be more or less, according to the degrees of excelling; the decision whereof should be left entirely to their own breast."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (56% in)
- He told me "that sometimes, though very rarely, a child happened to be born in a family, with a red circular spot in the forehead, directly over the left eyebrow, which was an infallible mark that it should never die."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (82% in)
- I had not got far, when I met one of these creatures full in my way, and coming up directly to me.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (4% in)
- He then began to find fault with other parts of my body: "the flatness of my face, the prominence of my nose, mine eyes placed directly in front, so that I could not look on either side without turning my head: that I was not able to feed myself, without lifting one of my fore-feet to my mouth: and therefore nature had placed those joints to answer that necessity."Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (28% in)
- For nature (as the physicians allege) having intended the superior anterior orifice only for the intromission of solids and liquids, and the inferior posterior for ejection, these artists ingeniously considering that in all diseases nature is forced out of her seat, therefore, to replace her in it, the body must be treated in a manner directly contrary, by interchanging the use of each orifice; forcing solids and liquids in at the anus, and making evacuations at the mouth.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (43% in)
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = exactly
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
directly = exactly
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = exactly
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
directly = exactly
directly = exactly
directly = straight (in a straight line)
directly = close
directly = straight (exactly where stated)
directly = exactly
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
3 —7 uses as in:
directed her question to
Definition
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
- But those objects against which their envy seems principally directed, are the vices of the younger sort and the deaths of the old.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (90% in)
directed = focused
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (3% in)
- ...they lent me two guides to direct me to the capital city,Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (89% in)
- I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the wind being favourable, I steered the same course that I had done the day before, wherein I was directed by my pocket compass.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (97% in)
- ...let the stone be turned upon its axle, till its attracting end points towards E, and then the island will be carried obliquely towards E; where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F, where, by directing the attracting end towards G, the island may be carried to G, and from G to H, by turning the stone, so as to make its repelling extremity to point directly downward.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (26% in)
- There is a strict alliance between the Japanese emperor and the king of Luggnagg; which affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one island to the other. I determined therefore to direct my course this way, in order to my return to Europe.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (61% in)
- So that, thinking I had seen enough, full of contempt and aversion, I got up, and pursued the beaten road, hoping it might direct me to the cabin of some Indian.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (4% in)
directed = guided
direct = guide
directed = guided
directing = pointing
direct = steer
direct = guide
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
4 —17 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
Definition
give instructions or commands
- To this the king returned some answer, which, although I could not understand, yet I replied as I had been directed:Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (80% in)
directed = ordered
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- He directed that those who had already beheld me should return home, and not presume to come within fifty yards of my house, without license from the court; whereby the secretaries of state got considerable fees.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (22% in)
- We directed him to draw out whatever was at the end of that chain; which appeared to be a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for, on the transparent side, we saw certain strange figures circularly drawn, and thought we could touch them, till we found our fingers stopped by the lucid substance.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (28% in)
- When this inventory was read over to the emperor, he directed me, although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the several particulars.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (29% in)
- In three days your friend the secretary will be directed to come to your house, and read before you the articles of impeachment;Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (86% in)
- But having in my life perused many state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision, in so critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (88% in)
- My little nurse stood on a low stool close to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (22% in)
- Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square, and ten high, for the convenience of travelling; because the other was somewhat too large for Glumdalclitch's lap, and cumbersome in the coach; it was made by the same artist, whom I directed in the whole contrivance.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (44% in)
- I directed him to make two chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box, and to bore little holes with a fine awl, round those parts where I designed the backs and seats;Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (62% in)
- That I knew the ingredients very well, which were cheap and common; I understood the manner of compounding them, and could direct his workmen how to make those tubes, of a size proportionable to all other things in his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need not be above a hundred feet long; twenty or thirty of which tubes, charged with the proper quantity of powder and balls, would batter down the walls of the strongest town in his dominions in a few hours, or destroy the whole...Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (76% in)
- This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, give it such positions as the monarch directs.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (27% in)
- He likewise directed, "that every senator in the great council of a nation, after he had delivered his opinion, and argued in the defence of it, should be obliged to give his vote directly contrary; because if that were done, the result would infallibly terminate in the good of the public."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (54% in)
- I would entertain myself in forming and directing the minds of hopeful young men, by convincing them, from my own remembrance, experience, and observation, fortified by numerous examples, of the usefulness of virtue in public and private life.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (86% in)
- After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might relate to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same compliment of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me signs that I should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent to comply, till I could find a better director.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (9% in)
- The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue, signifies a HORSE, and, in its etymology, the PERFECTION OF NATURE. I told my master, "that I was at a loss for expression, but would improve as fast as I could; and hoped, in a short time, I should be able to tell him wonders." He was pleased to direct his own mare, his colt, and foal, and the servants of the family, to take all opportunities of instructing me; and every day, for two or three hours, he was at the same pains himself.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (19% in)
- These, under the name of precedents, they produce as authorities to justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the judges never fail of directing accordingly.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (37% in)
- At last I desired something to eat out of my own canoe; but he ordered me a chicken, and some excellent wine, and then directed that I should be put to bed in a very clean cabin.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (87% in)
directed = ordered
directed = instructed
directed = ordered
directed = instructed
direct = instruct
direct = instruct
directed = instructed
directed = instructed
direct = instruct
directs = instructs
directed = instructed
directing = instructing
director = someone who gives instructions or commands
direct = instruct
directing = instructing
directed = instructed
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
5 —1 use as in:
directed the movie
Definition
supervise, control, or to be in charge of
- ...being left to debate the matter between themselves within the space of one skull, would soon come to a good understanding, and produce that moderation, as well as regularity of thinking, so much to be wished for in the heads of those, who imagine they come into the world only to watch and govern its motion: and as to the difference of brains, in quantity or quality, among those who are directors in faction, the doctor assured us, from his own knowledge, that "it was a perfect trifle."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (55% in)
directors = supervisors (people in charge)
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)