All 13 Uses of
direct
in
October Sky
- By Monday morning, almost every word on the radio was about Sputnik. ... He talked directly to students "across McDowell County" about how we'd better study harder to "catch up with the Russians."
Chpt 2directly = straight (without anyone in between)
- Involuntarily, I slid down in the pew when Reverend Lanier looked directly at me.
Chpt 7directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- After giving him a week, I decided to take direct action and went up to the mine carpentry shop to see Mr. McDuff.
Chpt 8 *direct = straightforward (without involving extra factors)
- Before he got there, the fuse reached the powder and the rocket whooshed off the pad, climbed about fifty feet, and then, as if aimed, turned and flew directly at the men lounging on the Pontiac fender.
Chpt 9directly = straight (in a straight line)
- Our teachers would wait patiently until she was through and then direct one of us boys to pick up her things and place them back on her desk.
Chpt 12direct = instruct
- Perhaps there may not be a direct scholarship prize, but success will get us noticed by someone.
Chpt 16direct = exact
- The tipple area of the mine seemed to be strangely lit--a big spotlight directed at the man-hoist--as my ride carried me past it.
Chpt 17directed = pointed
- Mr. Fuller was walking beside the bulldozer, directing the driver.
Chpt 21directing = instructing
- The traffic had increased to the point that Tag had to come down and direct it.
Chpt 22direct = control (give instructions to)
- I was directed to an area on the outer edge of the displays with other exhibitors of propulsion projects.
Chpt 25 *directed = sent
- He didn't answer me directly.
Chpt 25directly = in a straightforward manner (clearly without any ambiguity)
- I stirred uncomfortably when she raised her eyes from her prepared remarks and seemed to be looking directly at me.
Chpt 26 *directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- Dad entered the blockhouse, and I directed him to the firing panel after checking the connections.
Chpt 26directed = guided
Definitions:
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(1)
(direct as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
-
(2)
(direct as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
-
(3)
(direct as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
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(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Direct can take on many specialized meanings not included in this dictionary.As an adjective or adverb, direct usually means there is a clear or straight connection with nothing in the way. It can also mean easy to understand, without confusion. For example:- Direct action – taking quick and clear steps to make something happen
- Direct descendant – someone who comes straight from an ancestor, like a grandchild
- Direct line (in genealogy) – a family connection that goes straight from one generation to the next
- Direct deposit – money that is sent straight into a bank account
- Direct object – in a sentence, the person or thing that receives the action of the verb
- Direct kick – in sports, a kick where the ball can go straight into the goal without touching another player
- Direct cost – a cost that comes straight from making a product or providing a service
- Direct investment – putting money directly into a company or project
- Direct elections – when people vote for leaders without going through an extra step
- Direct current (DC) – a type of electric flow that moves in only one direction
As a verb, most all of the senses of direct involve giving orders or aiming.