2 meanings, 6 uses
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1 —2 uses 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
- Directly across from him on the overgrown lawn, cutting off access to the street, there's a quintuplet of pigoons, rooting around in a small heap of trash he hopes is only clothing.p. 234.6
- His mother would be carefully dressed, her lipstick smile an echo of the jelly smile on the sandwich, and she would be all sparkling attention, for him and his silly stories, looking at him directly, her eyes bluer than blue.p. 32.1
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Oryx and Crake.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
Definition
straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
- Crake's sexual needs were direct and simple, according to Oryx; not intriguing, like sex with Jimmy.p. 314.4
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in Oryx and Crake.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —3 uses
exact meaning not specified
- He looked at Jimmy, a direct look, unsmiling.p. 329.7
- It was the picture of the look she'd given him, the direct, contemptuous, knowing look that had dealt him such a blow when he was — what?p. 215.6
- Pan to close-up: the woman was looking right at him, right out of the frame: a blue-eyed look, direct, defiant, patient, wounded.p. 258.6
There are no more uses of "direct" in Oryx and Crake.
Typical Usage
(best examples)