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   direct

   /dɪˈrɛkt/

   adjective

   • 1. extending or moving from one place to another without changing direction or stopping: "there was no direct flight that day" Similar straightundeviatingunswervingshortestquickestnon-stopunbrokenuninterruptedstraight throughthroughOpposite indirect
   • ▪ (of apparent planetary motion) proceeding from west to east in accord with actual motion.
   • 2. without intervening factors or intermediaries: "the complications are a direct result of bacteria spreading" Similar face to facepersonalunmediatedhead-onimmediatefirst-handtête-à-têteinformal:from the horse's mouth
   • ▪ (of light or heat) proceeding from a source without being reflected or blocked: "ferns like a bright position out of direct sunlight"
   • ▪ (of genealogy) proceeding in continuous succession from parent to child: "a direct descendant of Edward III"
   • ▪ (of a quotation) taken from someone's words without being changed.
   • ▪ (of taxation) levied on income or profits rather than on goods or services.
   • ▪ complete (used for emphasis): "attitudes which were in direct contrast to the confrontational perspectives of the past" Similar exactabsolutecompletediametricaldownrightthoroughextreme
   • 3. (of a person or their behaviour) going straight to the point; frank: "he is very direct and honest" Similar frankstraightforwardhonestcandidopensincerestraightstraight to the pointbluntplain-spokenoutspokenforthrightdownrightuninhibitedunreservedpoint blankno-nonsensematter-of-factbluffundiplomatictactlessnot afraid to call a spade a spadenot beating around the bushspeaking as one findsexplicitclearplainunequivocalunambiguousunqualifiedcategoricalinformal:straight from the shoulderupfrontOpposite evasive
   • ▪ (of evidence or proof) bearing immediately and unambiguously upon the facts at issue: "there is no direct evidence that officials accepted bribes"
   • 4. perpendicular to a surface; not oblique: "a direct butt joint between surfaces of steel"

   adverb

   • 1. with no one or nothing in between: "they seem reluctant to deal with me direct"
   • ▪ by a straight route or without breaking a journey: "Austrian Airlines are flying direct to Innsbruck again"

   verb

   • 1. control the operations of; manage or govern: "an economic elite directed the nation's affairs" Similar administermanageruncontrolgovernconducthandlebe in charge ofbe in control ofbe in command ofbe the boss ofleadheadcommandrulepreside overexercise control overbe responsible forbe at the helm ofsupervisesuperintendoverseeguideregulateorchestratecoordinateengineermastermindinformal:run the showcall the shotscall the tunepull the stringsbe in the driving seatbe in the saddle
   • ▪ supervise and control (a film, play, or other production, or the actors in it): "the film is directed by Sir Richard Attenborough"
   • ▪ train and conduct (a group of musicians).
   • 2. aim (something) in a particular direction or at a particular person: "heating ducts to direct warm air to rear-seat passengers" Similar aimpointleveladdress tointend formean fordestine forfocus ontrain onturn onfix on
   • ▪ tell or show (someone) how to get somewhere: "can you direct me to the railway station, please?" Similar give directions toshow/point/indicate the wayguidesteerleadconductaccompanyusherescortnavigatepilot
   • ▪ address or give instructions for the delivery of (a letter or parcel): "put them all in one packet, and direct them to me" Similar addresslabelsuperscribesendmaildispatchpost
   • ▪ focus (one's thoughts) on or address (one's efforts) towards something.
   • ▪ address a comment to or aim a criticism at: "his criticism was directed at the wastage of ammunition"
   • ▪ target a product or advertisement specifically at (someone): "the book is directed at the younger reader" Similar targetmarketorient towardspitch to/towardsdesign fortailor to
   • ▪ guide or advise in a course or decision: archaic "the conscience of the credulous prince was directed by saints and bishops"
   • 3. give (someone) an official order or authoritative instruction: "the judge directed him to perform community service" Similar instructtellcommandordergive orders tochargecall onrequiredictateadjureenjoinliterary:bid

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin directus, past participle of dirigere, from di- ‘distinctly’ or de- ‘down’ + regere ‘put straight’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • D

     2

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

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