All 12 Uses of
direct
in
The Last Lecture
- When we send our kids to play organized sports—football, soccer, swimming, whatever—for most of us, it's not because we're desperate for them to learn the intricacies of the sport. What we really want them to learn is far more important: teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, the value of hard work, an ability to deal with adversity. This kind of indirect learning is what some of us like to call a "head fake."
Part 2 (definition 1)indirect = not straightforward (not clearly stated)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.
- I was rubbing her head, then holding her hand with both of mine, trying to describe the surgery in a way that was direct yet reassuring.
Part 3 (definition 1)direct = straightforward (specific and clear)
- I admire her directness, her honesty, her willingness to tell it to me straight.
Part 3 (definition 1)directness = the quality of being straightforward or clear (without adjusting what is said to spare others' feelings)
- He had asked a direct question.
Part 3 (definition 1) *direct = straightforward (specific and clear)
- Without thinking very hard, I gave him a direct answer.
Part 3 (definition 1)
- He was trying to question my integrity without directly calling me a liar.
Part 3 (definition 1)directly = in a straightforward manner (clearly without any ambiguity)
- Because he had been hired by producer/director George Lucas's company, Industrial Light & Magic.
Part 4 (definition 2)director = person in charge of making a filmstandard 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.
- On Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Tommy was a lead technical director.
Part 4 (definition 2)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.
- I was completely peeved at the camp directors.
Part 5 (definition 2) *directors = supervisors (people in charge)
- I used to tell anyone who worked in my research group: “You don't ever have to worry about what I'm thinking. Good or bad, I'll let you know what's in my head.” That meant when I wasn't happy about something, I spoke up, often directly and not always tactfully.
Part 5 (definition 3) *directly = immediately
- The note hadn't been sent to me, my co-director Don Marinelli, or any other faculty member.
Part 5 (definition 2)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.
- I have a direct answer for that.
Part 6 (definition 1)direct = straightforward (specific and clear)
Definitions:
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(1) (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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(2) (direct as in: directed the movie) supervise, control, or to be in charge of
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(3) (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.