All 15 Uses of
direct
in
And The Mountains Echoed
- She tries to direct her thoughts to Saboor once more and instead finds her mind drifting to the rumor she has heard around the village: that he is looking for a new wife.
Chpt 3 *direct = focus
- On the way home, we paused often for good-humored exchanges with magazine vendors and butchers, a few cheerful words with the young policemen directing traffic.
Chpt 4 *directing = giving directions to
- The funeral home director cleared his throat.
Chpt 5director = 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 see," the funeral director said.
Chpt 5
- He finds it difficult to look at her directly.
Chpt 5directly = straight (focusing where stated rather than including it as part of a larger focus; or a careful look rather than a quick glance)
- But, frankly, I doubt the board of directors would approve it, Idris.
Chpt 5board of directors = members of a board that oversees the affairs of a corporation or other institution
- And you were a direct challenge to all he knew, all that he held dear.
Chpt 6direct = clear
- I searched for you because some of it concerns you, and also because he directly asks in it that I find you and give you this letter.
Chpt 6directly = in a straightforward manner (clearly without any ambiguity)
- "You don't understand," Madaline said, and I realized I was the one who didn't understand because she was looking directly at me.
Chpt 8directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- The director.
Chpt 8director = 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 looked at her directly in the face.
Chpt 8directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- First, the director of photography—Madaline wrote DOP and Thalia had to explain it to me and Mama—had fallen off a scaffold on the set and broken his arm in three places.
Chpt 8director = 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.
- She spoke in a way that left no room for retort, steamrolling over me with the truth, told right at the outset, plainly, directly.
Chpt 8 *directly = in a straightforward manner (open and honest even if it makes someone uncomfortable)
- He has an unnerving way of looking at people these days, even when he is staring directly at them, that gives nothing away.
Chpt 9 *directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- When I first went to scout the facility, when the director, Penny—a tall, frail woman with curly strawberry hair—showed me around, I thought, This isn't so bad.
Chpt 9 *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.
Definitions:
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(1)
(direct as in: depart directly) without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else firstYou 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.
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(2)
(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
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(3)
(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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(4)
(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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(5)
(direct as in: directed the jury to...) give instructions or commands
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(6)
(direct as in: directed the movie) supervise, control, or to be in charge of
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(7)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Direct can take on many specialized meanings not included in this dictionary.As an adjective or adverb, most all senses of direct involve an uninterrupted connection and/or clarity (clear, unambiguous communication) as in:
- direct action
- direct descendant
- direct line (with regard to genealogy)
- direct deposit
- direct object
- direct kick
- direct cost
- direct investment
- direct elections
- direct current
As a verb, most all of the senses of direct involve giving orders or aiming.