All 7 Uses of
direct
in
Harry Potter (#1) and the Sorcerer's Stone
- Mr. Dursley was the director of a firm called Grunnings, which made drills.
p. 1..4 (definition 1) *director = person in chargestandard suffix: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.
- The zoo director himself made Aunt Petunia a cup of strong, sweet tea while he apologized over and over again.
p. 29..0 (definition 1)director = supervisor (person in charge)standard suffix: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.
- Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another.
p. 130..2 (definition 2) *directed = sent
- ...he realized that his broom was completely out of his control. He couldn't turn it. He couldn't direct it at all.
p. 189..5 (definition 3)direct = command
- This was exactly like Muggle chess except that the figures were alive, which made it a lot like directing troops in battle.
p. 199..6 (definition 3) *directing = commanding
- You asked me to come directly to you, Professor, if anyone was wandering around at night, and somebody's been in the library Restricted Section.
p. 207..0 (definition 4) *directly = immediately
- Ron started to direct the black pieces.
p. 282..7 (definition 3)direct = command
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: 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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(3) (direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands
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(4) (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.