direct

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. obsolete to write (a letter) to a person b. to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient c. to impart orally d. to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability <

a lawyer who directs his appeals to intelligence

> 2. a. to regulate the activities or course of b. to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of <

direct a project

> c. to dominate and determine the course of d. to train and lead performances of <

direct a movie

> 3. to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course <

X rays are directed through the body

> 4. to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course <

direct the nozzle downward

> 5. to request or enjoin with authority <

the judge directed the jury to acquit the defendant

> 6. to show or point out the way for <

signs directing us to the entrance

> intransitive verb 1. to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure 2. to act as director Synonyms: see command, conduct II. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin directus Date: 15th century 1. having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east ; not retrograde 2. a. stemming immediately from a source <

direct result

> b. being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring ; lineal <

direct ancestor

> c. having no compromising or impairing element <

a direct insult

> 3. a. proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption ; straight <

a direct line

> b. proceeding by the shortest way <

the direct route

> 4. natural, straightforward <

a direct manner

> 5. a. marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence <

making direct observations of nature

> b. effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives <

direct democracy

> c. consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer <

a direct quotation

> 6. characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship <

direct evidence

> 7. capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant III. adverb Date: 14th century in a direct way: as a. from point to point without deviation ; by the shortest way <

flew direct to Miami

> b. from the source without interruption or diversion <

the writer must take his material direct from life — Douglas Stewart

> c. without an intervening agency or step <

buy direct from the manufacturer

>