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direct
used in The Hound of the Baskervilles

2 meanings, 9 uses
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1  —6 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Definition
straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
  • Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sherlock Holmes opened his interview with a frankness and directness which considerably amazed her.
    Chapter 13 — Fixing the Nets (73% in)
directness = the quality of being straightforward or clear (without adjusting what is said to spare others' feelings)

(Editor's note:  The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means state or degree of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
  • Anything which may seem to have a bearing however indirect upon the case, and especially the relations between young Baskerville and his neighbours or any fresh particulars concerning the death of Sir Charles.
    Chapter 6 — Baskerville Hall (3% in)
    • indirect = not straightforward (in an incidental or complicated manner)

    (Editor's note:  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.)
  • We had arranged no plan of campaign, but the baronet is a man to whom the most direct way is always the most natural.
    Chapter 9 — Second Report of Dr. Watson (51% in)
    • direct = straightforward (uncomplicated)
  • Again, there was no direct connection between the hound and the man's death.
    Chapter 13 — Fixing the Nets (9% in)
    • direct = clear
  • "The whole course of events," said Holmes, "from the point of view of the man who called himself Stapleton was simple and direct, although to us, who had no means in the beginning of knowing the motives of his actions and could only learn part of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly complex."
    Chapter 15 — A Retrospection (7% in)
    • direct = straightforward (clear and uncomplicated)
  • At his command she consented to pass as his sister, though he found the limits of his power over her when he endeavoured to make her the direct accessory to murder.
    Chapter 15 — A Retrospection (84% in)
direct = clear
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
2  —3 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
Definition
give instructions or commands
  • "Certainly, sir," said he, "I had the telegram delivered to Mr. Barrymore exactly as directed."
    Chapter 7 — The Stapletons of Merripit House (13% in)
directed = instructed
Other Uses (with this meaning)
  • When a crisis comes, as it will do, I will direct how you shall act.
    Chapter 5 — Three Broken Threads (60% in)
    • direct = instruct
  • Visited twenty-three hotels as directed, but sorry, to report unable to trace cut sheet of Times.
    Chapter 5 — Three Broken Threads (70% in)
directed = instructed
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®