All 12 Uses of
direct
in
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
- The few times she happened to be directly in his path he tossed her an indifferent grin and his quizzical blue eyes flicked past and dismissed her.
p. 17.5directly = exactly where stated (used for emphasis)
- It was almost too much to bear when she heard a splash directly below her and saw that Nat and two of the other young men had taken advantage of a wait for the rowboat and were thrashing about like porpoises in the river.
p. 21.9directly = close, or in a straight line
- She lifted her chin and looked directly into those searching eyes.
p. 35.8 *directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
- All her life, whenever her grandfather had asked her a question he had expected a direct answer.
p. 36.1direct = clear and straightforward
- Now, in this stern man facing her, so totally different from her grandfather, Kit sensed the same quality of directness, and out of an instinctive respect she gave the only honest answer she could.
p. 36.1directness = quality of being honest and straightforward
- At the door Matthew Wood left his family and moved with dignity to the deacon's bench directly in front of the pulpit.
p. 52.9directly = close
- The sun slanted directly downward through the chinks in the roof when the sermon ended.
p. 54.9directly = straight (in a straight line)
- Go directly home, boys and girls.
p. 89.7directly = straight (without delay or interruption)
- Now that she stood directly in front of him she could see the bruise that the careless missile had left.
p. 167.4directly = close
- You will answer yes or no. Is it true that you have engaged with the Widow Tupper in various enchantments with the direct intent of causing mischief to certain people?
p. 211.3direct = specific and clear
- The magistrate spoke to her directly. "I had considered this morning's inquiry merely a formality. I did not expect to find any evidence worthy of carrying to the court. But this is a serious mater. You must explain to us how this child's name came to be written."
p. 215.1 *directly = in a clear, straightforward manner
- These two she would take directly to Uncle Matthew, and this time she felt sure he would let his daughters accept them, because he would know now that she offered the gifts with love instead of pride.
p. 242.4directly = immediately
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) 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.