All 17 Uses of
direct
in
Childhood's End
- As pygmies may threaten a giant, so those angry fists were directed against the sky fifty kilometres above his head-against the gleaming silver cloud that was the flagship of the Overlord fleet.
Chpt 2 *directed = aimed or focused
- Perhaps he felt the need of direct contact with one human being at least: perhaps he realized that Stormgren needed this form of personal support If this was the explanation, the Secretary-General appreciated it: he did not mind if the Freedom League referred to him contemptuously as "Karellen's office-boy".
Chpt 2direct = personal or actual (with nothing in between)
- We believe that sooner or later Earth will have to fight for its independence-but we realize that the struggle can only be by indirect methods such as sabotage and disobedience.
Chpt 3 *indirect = not straightforward (complicated)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.
- Direct sunlight was painful to them, and they never stayed in it for more than a few seconds.
Chpt 6 *direct = unobstructed (with nothing in between)
- There were some goods that certain countries still made best, but they went directly by air to their destinations.
Chpt 9 *directly = straight (without delay or interruption)
- We're ruled by a Council of eight directors, representing Production, Power, Social Engineering, Art, Economics, Science, Sport, and Philosophy.†
Chpt 15directors = members of a board that oversees the affairs of a corporation or other institution; or supervisors (people in charge)
- The chair's held by each of the directors in rotation for a year at a time.†
Chpt 15 *
- Only once had he taken any direct action against a recalcitrant government.†
Chpt 2 *
- There was not one of his direct subordinates who did not possess much more luxurious quarters, but this place was ample for Stormgren's needs.†
Chpt 3
- The thought of approaching the Supervisor directly filled him with dismay, but there seemed no alternative.†
Chpt 3
- I'm sure the Overlord's own apparatus won't use anything so crude as an actual physical screen-they'll probably materialize images directly in space.†
Chpt 4
- The evidence was still indirect, but he accepted it without question.†
Chpt 4indirect = not the shortest or quickest waystandard 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.
- In future, all my dealings with Earth will be in-direct and the office of Secretary-General can revert to something resembling its original form.†
Chpt 4
- With the energies of mankind directed into constructive channels, the face of the world had been remade.†
Chpt 6
- Jet reaction, used both directly and in the more subtle form of boundary layer control, drove his flyers forward and held them in the air.†
Chpt 6
- Yes, without questioning the child directly.†
Chpt 18
- In the past, we know, it has attempted to act directly upon the minds of other races, and to influence their cultural development.†
Chpt 23
Definitions:
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(1)
(direct as in: depart directly) without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else firstYou 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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(2)
(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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(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)
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(4)
(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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(5)
(direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands
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(6)
(direct as in: directed the movie) supervise, control, or to be in charge of
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(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.