2 meanings, 19 uses
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1 —3 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
- The hidden messages had begun to transmit directly into their minds — no more need for television, radios, or anything else.p. 216.9
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- This happened several times before they got a response — which, as it happened, came not from beyond the door, but from directly behind them.p. 43.8
- The boys had been on edge already, but at the sound of an unexpected voice directly overhead, Reynie had thrown up his hands as if to ward off a blow, and Sticky had tried, unsuccessfully, to hide behind his suitcase.p. 156.5
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —3 uses as in:
directed the movie
Definition
supervise, control, or to be in charge of
- As Reynie had already completed all the textbooks on his own, even those for high school students, the orphanage director had assigned him a special tutor while the other children went to class.p. 2.8
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- He was hopeful, then, when Mr. Rutger, the orphanage director, informed him late that evening that Miss Perumal's mother was considerably improved.p. 4.9
- Aside from being the orphanage director, Mr. Rutger is headmaster of your academy, is he not?p. 114.8
There are no more uses of "direct" flagged with this meaning in The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —13 uses
exact meaning not specified
- "Just drop me near the bridge guardhouse," he directed Number Two, "then take the children away."p. 467.6
- The question was addressed directly to children, not to their parents.p. 3.9
- He plunged through the doorway ahead of him (this ought to be the most direct path to the rear of the house) and, as if by magic, seemed to walk into the very room he had just left.p. 56.6
- Sure enough, though the other arrows followed no particular pattern, the wiggly arrows all directed him toward the same door — the one whose wiggly arrow pointed straight ahead.p. 58.2
- Of course, until now, we haven't been in direct danger, but now that you're here ....p. 92.9
- In this case, however, the messages were going directly into people's minds, which absorbed them not only without knowing where the messages came from, but without realizing they had received or read anything at all.p. 95.7
- Directing Reynie to look away, Mr. Curtain punched in the number code, the door slid swiftly open, and Mr. Curtain shot into the office.p. 239.3
- He hadn't meant to speak so directly, but once he'd begun to ask it, the words just tumbled out.p. 256.8
- As of this morning, the messages are transmitting directly.p. 271.8
- When you occupy the seat, the Whisperer directs you to think certain phrases — it whispers to you, do you see?p. 319.5
- In the midst of going round and round in his mind about not facing the Whisperer, however, Reynie did stumble against something which — if seen from a distance and not stared at directly — might resemble a plan.p. 394.9
- In horror Reynie's mind flashed back to an entry from Mr. Curtain's journal, the one that began, "As of this morning, the messages are transmitting directly.p. 456.4
- If Mr. Curtain could broadcast messages directly into people's minds, he could brainsweep them in the same way!p. 456.5
There are no more uses of "direct" in The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Typical Usage
(best examples)