direct
DIRECT, a. L., to make straight. See Right.
1. Straight; right; as, to pass in a direct line from one body or place to another. It is opposed to crooked, winding, oblique. It is also opposed to refracted; as a direct ray of light.
2. In astronomy, appearing to move forward in the zodiac, in the direction of the sign; opposed to retrograde; as, the motion of a planet is direct.
3. In the line of father and sons; opposed to collateral; as a descendant in the direct line.
4. Leading or tending to an end, as by a straight line or course; not circuitous. Thus we speak of direct means to effect an object; a direct course; a direct way.
5. Open; not ambiguous or doubtful.
6. Plain; express; not ambiguous; as, he said this in direct words; he made a direct acknowledgment.
7. In music, a direct interval is that which forms any kind of harmony on the fundamental sound which produces it; as the fifth, major third and octave.
Direct tax, is a tax assess on real estate, as houses and lands.
DIRECT, v.t. L.
1. To point or aim in a straight line, towards a place or object; as, to direct an arrow or a piece of ordnance; to direct the eye; to direct a course or flight.
2. To point; to show the right road or course; as, he directed me to the left hand road.
3. To regulate; to guide or lead; to govern; to cause to proceed in a particular manner; as, to direct the affairs of a nation.
Wisdom is profitable to direct. Ecclesiastes 10.
4. To prescribe a course; to mark out a way. Job 37.
5. To order; to instruct; to point out a course of proceeding, with authority; to command. But direct is a softer term than command.
DIRECT, n. In music, a character placed at the end of a stave to direct the performer to the first note of the next stave.
directed
DIRECTED, pp. Aimed; pointed; guided; regulated; governed; ordered; instructed.
directer
DIRECTER, n. A director, which see.
directing
DIRECTING, ppr. Aiming; pointing; guiding; regulating; governing; ordering.
direction
DIRECTION, n. L.
1. Aim at a certain point; a pointing towards, in a straight line or course; as, the direction of good works to a good end.
2. The line in which a body moves by impulse; course. Matter or body cannot alter the direction of its own motion.
3. A straight line or course. A star appeared int eh direction of a certain tower. The ship sailed in a south-easterly direction.
4. The act of governing; administration; management; guidance; superintendence; as the direction of public affairs; direction of domestic concerns; the direction of a bank.
5. Regularity; adjustment.
All chance, direction which thou canst not see.
6. Order; prescription; either verbal or written; instruction in what manner to proceed. The employer gives directions to his workmen; the physician, to his patient.
7. The superscription of a letter, including the name, title and place of abode of the person for whom it is intended.
8. A body or board of directors.
directive
DIRECTIVE, a.
1. Having the power of direction; as a directive rule.
2. Informing; instructing; shewing way.
directness
DIRECTNESS, n. Straightness; a straight course; nearness of way.