All 18 Uses of
direct
in
Rebecca
- We dined in the sitting-room, and she went to bed directly afterwards.
Chpt 6 (definition 1)directly = immediately
- She's very direct, believes in speaking her mind.
Chpt 8 (definition 2) *direct = straightforward (open and honest even if it makes someone uncomfortable)
- I went through the long drawing-room, as he had directed; a lovely room this, beautifully proportioned, looking out upon the lawns down to the sea.
Chpt 8 (definition 3)directed = instructed
- We stared at one another for a moment without speaking, and I could not be certain whether it was anger I read in her eyes or curiosity, for her face became a mask directly she saw me.
Chpt 9 (definition 1)directly = as soon as
- She was looking me up and down, as I had expected, but in a direct, straightforward fashion, not maliciously like Mrs Danvers, not with unfriendliness.
Chpt 9 (definition 2)direct = straightforward (open and honest)
- She looked at me direct, her lips pursed in a whistle, and then took a cigarette from her bag, and flashed her lighter.
Chpt 9 (definition 4)direct = focusing (where stated)
- 'God knows,' said Maxim; 'remembering Clarice's mother, I should take it as a direct insult.'
Chpt 12 (definition 2)direct = clear
- It was odd though the way the man had been looking out and directly he saw me he whipped back into the room and the shutters were closed.
Chpt 13 (definition 1)directly = as soon as
- Frith in his element of course, directing Robert with a lift of his eyebrows, and myself rather hot and flustered with a monstrous silver teapot and kettle that I never knew how to manage.
Chpt 16 (definition 3)directing = instructing
- I'll be down directly, I'll make it all right.
Chpt 17 (definition 1) *directly = in a short time
- And Beatrice at our first meeting, looking me up and down, frank, direct, 'You're so very different from Rebecca.'
Chpt 18 (definition 2)direct = straightforward (open and honest)
- 'They'll send a diver down directly to see if she's broken her back,' he replied.
Chpt 19 (definition 1)directly = immediately
- 'They'll send him down directly,' said the coastguard.
Chpt 19 (definition 1)directly = in a short time
- Indirectly of course she's the cause of my coming.
Chpt 19 (definition 2)indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious mannerstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
- He came up to the surface then and reported it direct to me.
Chpt 19 (definition 4) *direct = personal (person-to-person)
- I can't explain why on the telephone, but you shall hear everything directly you come.
Chpt 23 (definition 1)directly = as soon as
- Once we had passed Hampstead he drew out a large-scale map from his coat-pocket and began directing Maxim to Barnet.
Chpt 26 (definition 3) *directing = giving directions to
- 'I should feel inclined,' he said, not looking directly at us, 'to get away for a bit.'
Chpt 27 (definition 4)directly = straight (focusing where stated rather than including it as part of a larger focus; or a careful look rather than a quick glance)
Definitions:
-
(1) (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.
-
(2) (direct as in: was direct in my instructions) straightforward (uncomplicated or simple -- perhaps also indicating openness and honesty, or little concern for others' feelings)
-
(3) (direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands
-
(4) (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