All 19 Uses of
direct
in
The Mysterious Benedict Society
- 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 *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.
- He was hopeful, then, when Mr. Rutger, the orphanage director, informed him late that evening that Miss Perumal's mother was considerably improved.†
p. 4.9director = 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.
- 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. 43.8directly = close, or in a straight line
- Aside from being the orphanage director, Mr. Rutger is headmaster of your academy, is he not?†
p. 114.8director = 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.
- 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. 156.5directly = close, or in a straight line
- The hidden messages had begun to transmit directly into their minds — no more need for television, radios, or anything else.†
p. 216.9 *directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- 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 ...I'm sorry, I don't mean to alarm you.†
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 *
- "Just drop me near the bridge guardhouse," he directed Number Two, "then take the children away."†
p. 467.6
Definitions:
-
(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
-
(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.