All 7 Uses
direct
in
Unwind, by Shusterman
(Edited)
- Suburban Ohio neighborhoods never have streets that go in straight lines, so instead he takes the more direct route, through the woods, and makes it there in ten.
p. 8.5 *direct = straight or quick
- It wasn't enough to just turn them in, now he's leading the cops directly to them—and he's not the only one.
p. 86.9directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- There's grumbling, but no direct defiance.
p. 162.7 *direct = clear, or straightforward
- Funny, but it's indirectly Connor's doing, since he's the one who broke that kid's nose in the first place.
p. 201.9indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious mannerstandard prefix: 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.
- Connor's shots had been very precise; they were low, and directed at a corner of the crate.
p. 245.3 *directed = aimed
- When they had arrived back at the scene of the riot, all focus was on Connor; all questions were directed to him.
p. 259.1directed = aimed (intended for)
- Roland couldn't remember ever having so much attention directed at him.
p. 289.8directed = aimed or focused
Definitions:
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(1)
(direct as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
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(2)
(direct as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
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(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) 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.