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direct
used in Dracula

5 meanings, 17 uses
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1  —1 use 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
  • "You were doubtless surprised at my letter?" This query was directly addressed to Lord Godalming.
    Chapter 15 (77% in)
directly = personally (person-to-person)
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Dracula.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
2  —5 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Definition
straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
  •   Her answer came with direct simplicity, as though she was simply stating a fact, "Because if I find in myself, and I shall watch keenly for it, a sign of harm to any that I love, I shall die!"
      "You would not kill yourself?" he asked, hoarsely.
      "I would."
    Chapter 22 (12% in)
direct = straightforward (clear and uncomplicated)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
  • It is now after the dinner hour of the asylum, and as yet my patient sits in a corner brooding, with a dull, sullen, woe-begone look in his face, which seems rather to indicate than to show something directly.
    Chapter 9 (87% in)
    • directly = in a straightforward manner (clearly without any ambiguity)
  • Their threats were, however, mingled with some sort of indirect apology for the defeat of the two of them by a feeble madman.
    Chapter 12 (68% in)
    • indirect = not straightforward (not clearly stated, but implied)

    (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.)
  • That is true indirectly, but not directly.
    Chapter 14 (78% in)
    • indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious manner

    (Editor's note:  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.)
  • That is true indirectly, but not directly.
    Chapter 14 (78% in)
directly = in a straightforward manner (an uncomplicated manner before including secondary effects)
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Dracula.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
3  —2 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
  •   NOTE LEFT BY VAN HELSING IN HIS PORTMANTEAU, BERKELEY HOTEL DIRECTED TO JOHN SEWARD, M. D. (Not Delivered) 27 September
      Friend John, I write this in case anything should happen....
    Chapter 15 (67% in)
directed = addressed (written to)
  • One of the letters was directed to Samuel F. Billington, No. 7, The Crescent, Whitby, another to Herr Leutner, Varna.
    Chapter 3 (45% in)
directed = addressed (written to)
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Dracula.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
4  —8 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
Definition
give instructions or commands
  • This vampire ... can, within his range, direct the elements, the storm, the fog, the thunder;
    Chapter 18 (33% in)
direct = command
Other Uses (with this meaning)
  • Count Dracula had directed me to go to the Golden Krone Hotel, which I found, to my great delight, to be thoroughly old-fashioned, for of course I wanted to see all I could of the ways of the country.
    Chapter 1 (20% in)
    • directed = instructed
  • I found that my landlord had got a letter from the Count, directing him to secure the best place on the coach for me;
    Chapter 1 (23% in)
    • directing = instructing
  • Goods are delivered in exact accordance with instructions, and keys left in parcel in main hall, as directed.
    Chapter 8 (61% in)
    • directed = instructed
  • I was satisfied with his present condition, and directed him to be relieved.
    Chapter 9 (28% in)
    • directed = instructed
  • When I told Mrs. Westenra that Dr. Van Helsing had directed that I should sit up with her, she almost pooh-poohed the idea, pointing out her daughter's renewed strength and excellent spirits.
    Chapter 10 (49% in)
    • directed = instructed
  • I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as Dr. Van Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep.
    Chapter 11 (79% in)
    • directed = instructed
  • They were all so frightened and nervous that I directed them to go to the dining room and each have a glass of wine.
    Chapter 11 (94% in)
directed = instructed
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Dracula.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
5  —1 use as in:
directed the movie
Definition
supervise, control, or to be in charge of
  •   I answered that certainly it would be most easy, but that we solicitors had a system of agency one for the other, so that local work could be done locally on instruction from any solicitor, so that the client, simply placing himself in the hands of one man, could have his wishes carried out by him without further trouble.
      "But," said he, "I could be at liberty to direct myself. Is it not so?"
      "Of course," I replied, and "Such is often done by men of business, who do not like the whole of their affairs to be known by any one person."
    Chapter 3 (33% in)
direct = supervise (be in charge of)
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Dracula.

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