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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary di·rect
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
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
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 English Etymology direct late 14c., from L. directus "straight," pp. of dirigere "set straight," from dis- "apart" + regere "to guide" (see regal). The adj. is from late 14c. Related: Directed; directing. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ direct dir·ect / dE5rekt; di-; dai- / adjectiveNOBODY / NOTHING IN BETWEEN 直接 1. [usually before noun] happening or done without involving other people, actions, etc. in between 直接的；亲自的；亲身的: They are in direct contact with the hijackers. 他们与劫机者直接联系。 His death was a direct result of your action. 他的死是你的行为直接造成的后果。 We are looking for somebody with direct experience of this type of work. 我们在寻找对这种工作有过亲身体验的人。 This information has a direct bearing on (= it is closely connected with) the case. 这一信息与此论据有直接关系。 OPP indirect JOURNEY / ROUTE 旅程；道路 2. going in the straightest line between ten places without stopping or changing direction 笔直的；迳直的；最近的: the most direct route / course 最直接的路线/航线 a direct flight (= a flight that does not stop) 直飞航班 There's a direct train to Leeds (= it may stop at other stations but you do not have to change trains). 有一班直达利兹的火车。 a direct hit (= a hit that is accurate and does not touch sth else first) 直接命中 OPP indirect HEAT / LIGHT 热；光 3. [only before noun] with nothing between sth and the source of the heat or light 直射的: Protect your child from direct sunlight by using a sunscreen. 给孩子搽点防晒霜以防日光直接照射。 EXACT 恰好 4. [only before noun] exact 正好的；恰好的: That's the direct opposite of what you told me yesterday. 那与你昨天告诉我的截然相反。 a direct quote (= six using a person's exact words) 直接引语 SAYING WHAT YOU MEAN 直爽 5. saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand 直爽的；直率的；坦率的: a direct answer / question 直截了当的回答；坦率的问题 You'll have to get used to his direct manner. 你得慢慢习惯他这种直率的方式。 OPP indirect ⇨ note at honest RELATIONSHIP 关系 6. [only before noun] related through parents and children rather than brothers, sisters, aunts, etc. 直系的；嫡系的: a direct descendant of the country's first president 国家第一任总统的嫡系后裔 OPP indirect verbAIM 目标 1. [VN] ~ sth to / towards sth / sb | ~ sth at / against sth / sb to aim sth in a particular direction or at a particular person 把…对准(某方向或某人): The machine directs a powerful beam at the affected part of the body. 这种机器将很强的射线对准身体感染部位。 There are seven main issues that we need to direct our attention to. 我们需要注意的主要有三个问题。 Most of his anger was directed against himself. 他主要是生自己的气。 Was that remark directed at me? 那话是冲着我来的吗？ CONTROL 控制 2. [VN] to control or be in charge of sb / sth 管理；监督；指导: A new manager has been appointed to direct the project. 已任命一位新经理来管理这项工程。 He was asked to take command and direct operations. 他奉命统率并指挥作战行动。 MOVIE / PLAY / MUSIC 电影；戏剧；音乐 3. to be in charge of actors in a play, or a film / movie, or musicians in an orchestra , etc. 导演(戏剧或电影)；指挥(管弦乐队): ▪ [V] She prefers to act rather than direct. 她宁愿当演员,不愿当导演。 ▪ [VN] The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg. 这部电影是由史蒂文 · 斯皮尔伯格导演的。 She now directs a large choir. 她目前担任一个大合唱团的指挥。 SHOW THE WAY 指路 4. [VN] ~ sb (to...) to tell or show sb how to get to somewhere or where to go 给(某人)指路；为(某人)领路: Could you direct me to the station? 请问到车站怎么走？ A police officer was directing the traffic. 一名警察在指挥交通。 ⇨ note at take GIVE ORDER 下达命令 5. (formal) to give an official order 指示；命令 SYN order :
▪ [VN to inf] The police officers had been directed to search the building. 警察奉命搜查这栋大楼。 ▪ [V that] The judge directed that the mother be given custody of the children. 法官判决孩子由母亲照管。 (BrE also) The judge directed that the mother should be given custody of the children. 法官判决孩子由母亲照管。 ⇨ note at order LETTER / COMMENT 信函；意见 6. [VN] ~ sth to... (formal) to send a letter, etc. to a particular place or to a particular person 把(信件等)寄至；交予: Direct any complaints to the Customer Services department. 将投诉寄至用户服务部。 adverbJOURNEY / ROUTE 旅程；路线 1. without stopping or changing direction 直接；迳直: We flew direct to Hong Kong. 我们直飞香港。 The 10.40 goes direct to Leeds. 10:40 这班火车直达利兹。 NOBODY IN BETWEEN 亲自 2. without involving other people 亲自；直接: I prefer to deal with him direct. 我更愿意直接跟他打交道。 Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English direct adj. VERBS be ADV. extremely, very He asked me some very direct questions. | fairly, quite, rather Her manner can be rather direct. | disconcertingly his disconcertingly direct gaze Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition adj. Function: adverb 1 Synonyms: DIRECTLY 1, dead, due, right, straight, straightly, undeviatingly 2 Synonyms: VERBATIM , directly, literally, literatim, word for wordadj. Function: verb 1 Synonyms: ADDRESS 6, superscribe 2 to turn something toward its appointed or intended mark or goal FF1C;directed her eyes to the doorFF1E; Synonyms: address, aim, cast, head, incline, lay, level, point, present, set, train, turn, zero (in) Related Words: beam; divert; fasten, focus 3 Synonyms: ADDRESS 3, apply, bend, buckle (down), devote, give, throw, turn Related Words: fix, set, settle Contrasted Words: deflect, divert; deviate, digress, diverge, swerve 4 Synonyms: GUIDE , conduct, escort, lead, pilot, route, see, shepherd, show, steer Antonyms: misdirect 5 Synonyms: GOVERN 3, control, dominate, handle, manage 6 Synonyms: CONDUCT 3, carry on, keep, manage, operate, ordain, run 7 Synonyms: COMMAND , bid, charge, enjoin, instruct, order, tell, warn Related Words: assign, define, prescribe adj. Function: adjective 1 being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring FF1C;direct ancestorsFF1E; Synonyms: lineal 2 admitting free or continuous passage FF1C;a direct route to the beachFF1E; Synonyms: straight, straightforward, through, uninterrupted Related Words: linear; continuous, unbroken, undeviating, unswerving Contrasted Words: circuitous, roundabout Antonyms: indirect 3 Synonyms: FRANK , candid, man-to-man, open, plain, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised, undissembled, unreserved Antonyms: devious 4 marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence FF1C;he had no direct knowledge of the crimeFF1E; Synonyms: firsthand, immediate, primary Related Words: contiguous, next, proximate Antonyms: indirect Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: direct sum , or direct variation , or direct product , or direct black EW , or direct charge , or direct-acting , or direct action , or direct bearing , or direct black , or direct cell division , or direct cerebellar tract , or direct-connected , or direct contempt , or direct control , or direct cost , or direct-coupled , or direct current , or direct deep black EW , or direct democracy , or direct development , or direct distance dialing, or direct drive , or direct-driven , or direct dye , or direct evidence, or direct examination , or direct exchange , or direct finder , or direct fire , or direct-fire , or direct-geared , or direct grant school , or direct initiative , or direct investment , or direct labor , or direct laying , or direct lighting , or direct loss by fire , or direct mail , or direct material , or direct method , or direct package , or direct positive , or direct primary , or direct printing , or direct process , or direct proportion , or direct pyramidal tract , or direct reduction , or direct rein , or direct salesman , or direct selling , or direct service , or direct syllogism , or direct take , or direct tax , or direct tide , or direct viewfinder , or direct-vision spectroscope , or direct white 2GT , or direct-writing companydi·rect I. \də̇ˈrekt also dīˈr- sometimes ˈdīˌr- — compare direct II\ verb(-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English directen, from Latin directus, past participle of dirigere to set straight, direct, guide — more at dress transitive verb 1. a. obsolete : to dedicate to a person b. obsolete : to write to a person c. : to mark or label the outer surface of (a message or package to be delivered) with the name and residence or place of business of the intended recipient : superscribe d. : to supply with a heading, statement, or other indication of a specific addressee or desired recipient < the auditors' certificate directed to the stockholders > e. : to impart orally < the speaker directed a side remark to the gallery > f. : to adapt and arrange in expression so as to have particular applicability or appeal : angle — used with to or at < a lawyer who directs his appeals to intelligence and character > 2. : to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course with a particular destination or object in view: a. : to dispatch, aim, or guide usually along a fixed path < X rays are directed through a portion of the body > < wavelengths directed to southeast Asia > < sensitivity to humor directed toward himself > < to Peru was directed one of the main currents of Spanish colonial conquest — P.E.James > < that Locke's influence upon his successors was primarily to direct them to empiricism — J.W.Yolton > also : assign , allot < many industries direct part of their earnings to academic scholarship funds > b. : to devote with concentration — used usually with to or toward < has he found that he must have someone else toward whom he can direct his mind and in whom he can expand himself — H.A.Overstreet > < directing their whole attention toward the international conflict > c. : to aim fixedly : concern or involve oneself primarily or totally with — used with to or toward < ecclesiastical policy was directed primarily toward the liberation of the church from the fetters of secular interest and state expediency — H.D.Hazeltine > < applied research may be defined as research directed to the end of reducing the degree of empiricism in a practical art — J.B.Conant > d. : to point, extend, or project especially upward or downward < in these mammoths the tusks are vertically directed at their bases — A.S.Romer > e. : to engage in or launch hostilely : focus — used with against or at < our policy is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos — G.C.Marshall > < if atomic or biological warfare should be directed against us > also : to institute for possible launching or application < binding agreements of a much more specific character directed at a potential aggressor — Vera M. Dean > 3. : to show or point out the way for < a guide directs tourists to the marine museum > < the map directs us to the left > 4. : to regulate the activities or course of: a. : to guide and supervise < directed the floor strategy in the House of Representatives > < the archaeologist directing the excavations > specifically : to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of especially in an authoritative capacity < directed the building and arming of an underground network > < not only public propaganda, but also cultural infiltration, is directed from the same source — A.T.Bouscaren > b. : administer , conduct < ably directed music and language departments > < while in office he directed vigorous prosecutions of racketeers > c. : to dominate and determine the course of < will not find it preposterous that the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past — T.S.Eliot > d. : to assist by giving advice, instruction, and supervision < the major professor directs graduate students' thesis research > specifically : to lend a refining, cultivating, or inspiring influence to < direct American taste and mold the genius of the young republic — Van Wyck Brooks > e. : to train and lead performances of (a musical or dramatic aggregation); also : to lead a group in presenting (a ballet, opera, concert, play, or motion picture) 5. a. : to request or enjoin especially with authority < the judge directed the clerk to pass him the paper > < the resolution directed the commission to prepare proposals > < I direct my executors to present my library intact to my alma mater > also : to issue an order to < Lee directed Jackson to make a wide march to the southwest — T.R.Hay > b. : to prescribe especially by formal or mandatory instruction or legal enactment < a court order directing that the person be brought to a court hearing > < postal inspectors directed destruction of the obscene matter > intransitive verb 1. : to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure < however chance shall direct > < the directing agencies of society — the family, the city, the church, the school, the workshop, and above all the state — J.M.Cameron > < the old theological notion that there is in the universe besides ourselves some directing power that means well by us — J.W.Beach > 2. : to direct an orchestra or chorus or a dramatic group or performance < equally clever at composing and directing > Synonyms: address , devote , apply : these four verbs have in common a reflexive use signifying to turn or bend one's attention, energies, or efforts to something. direct and address are not significantly different; one can direct or address oneself to a task, to one's work, or to the study of something; one can direct or address one's attention, one's remarks, one's writings to something or someone. direct may possibly stress more an aim or intent, address more an appeal to or claim upon attention or interest < asked myself to what purpose I should direct my energies — M.R.Cohen > < to direct my endeavors … toward the object of my search — Mary W. Shelley > < speakers addressed themselves to a common question — H.W.Sams > < a story addressed not only to one's sense of excitement and the exotic but also to his sense of honor and humanity — Charles Lee > devote often adds the implication of persistence or of personal dedication < at Cornell he devoted himself primarily to his studies and to athletics — Current Biography > < devoted himself chiefly to the affairs of this school for the next eight or ten years of his life — S.P.Chase & R.E.Ham > apply stresses often an intentional turning of the attention or energies, often a concentration or concentrated application; one applies oneself to a task when, after consideration, he determines upon doing the task, or when he directs his whole attention to it, especially for some time < he cannot apply himself to study — Charles Clairmont > < after having received a careful education … he applied his attention to practical military subjects — Encyc. Americana > Synonym: see in addition command , conduct .II. \də̇ˈrekt also (ˈ)dī|r-, rapid ˈdre-; after a monosyllabic prefix -dī- occurs less often than in other environments, pronunciations like dī|rektəˈnində̇ˌrekt (“direct and indirect”) being frequent\ adjective (sometimes -er/-est) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin directus straight, direct, from past participle of dirigere 1. a. : proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : not crooked, oblique, reflected, refracted, or circuitous < direct blows of the gavel > < disintegrated by the direct heat > < exposed to the direct force of the hurricane > b. : leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end < a direct route > < direct means > < direct rays > < direct and speedy passenger service to the coast > c. obsolete : moving or extending at a right angle to a surface < a ship needs a direct wind to enter > d. : transmitted back and forth without an intermediary < engaged in a direct exchange of recriminations > < no direct communication with the flooded area > e. : assigned in the postal service for separate delivery to a particular addressee rather than routed according to street address < a letter deposited in a direct pouch > f. : capable of being allocated to a particular portion or process of an undertaking and so treated in cost accounts; specifically :chargeable to a particular job — compare direct cost, direct labor 2. a. : operating or guided without digression or obstruction < while he gives his more direct attention to something nearer at hand — Nathaniel Hawthorne > < her letters … are a direct reflection of her personality — R.A.Hall b. 1911 > < direct expansion of consumption is of utmost urgency — New Republic > b. : stemming immediately from a source < having no direct authority over factory employment policies > c. : being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal < only a collateral relative, not his direct ancestor > < the examiner should not overvalue the influence of directheredity — H.G.Armstrong > d. : clear-cut and distinctive : having no compromising or impairing element : genuine , out-and-out < an undertaking having a direct social purpose > < the soldier's pleasures are simple and direct — Fred Majdalany > < hoping to avoid direct involvement in the war > e. : blunt and unqualified : delivered point-blank : categorical < his petition for a salary increase was met with a direct rebuff > < get back to your post. That's a direct order — Irwin Shaw > < evidence from original documents of the dark ages often give the lie direct to sentimental novelists > f. cryptanalysis, of alphabetic sequences : arranged or employed in traditional order : not reversed 3. a. : characterized by or giving evidence of a close especially logical, causal, or consequential relationship < there is a direct personal tie which assures the beginning of real understanding between individuals — D.J.Shank > < most scientific discoveries now have a direct bearing on security > < for 20 years in direct association with the library > < a hundred different complications in which we shall have a direct interest — F.D.Roosevelt > b. : inevitable , unequivocal < one direct result of improving the living conditions was a rise in the birthrate > c. : serving to get to the point : effective < raising funds would be a directer way of helping the cause > d. : communicating explicitly often with brusqueness : going straight to the point < before any inquiry so direct as to demand a positive answer was addressed to her — Jane Austen > < keeps the play direct, uncluttered, and so brisk that the long and familiar story does not make martyrs of its audience — Henry Hewes > < her choreography is direct, nowhere obscured by extraneous devices > e. : frank, natural, and positive : straightforward < a charming, lively person who had a direct mind, said what he thought and believed others did the same — Times Literary Supplement > < that one's relations with others should be direct and not diplomatic — A.C.Benson > < it often told you a great deal that was both too direct and too elusive for words — Willa Cather > f. of the object of a verb : being the one that is the primary goal of an action < him in “I saw him” and me in “he hit me” are direct objects > or that results from an action < a house in “we built a house” is the direct object > 4. : marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence : immediate: a. : made, carried on, or effected without any intruding factor or intervening step < direct loans > < relying less and less on direct observation of nature — Eric Newton > < some direct borrowing of Anglo-Norman into English > < until the breaking off of direct negotiations > b. : effected by the votes of the people or the electorate and not by representatives < elected for 7 years by direct suffrage — Statesman's Year Book> < institutions of direct democracy — popular initiative, the referendum, and the recall — C.A.M.Ewing > < the direct election of senators — E.P.Herring > c. : unhampered by divergent, intervening, or separative forces < he had more direct access to the governor than the legislators > < prefer the more direct American approach to human problems — David Daiches > d. : effected by one object or substance in contact with another with no insulating or obstructing element between < direct contact with another metal must be avoided > < there is no direct connection between the apartments > e. : consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a real or supposed original speaker < the words in quotation marks in the sentence He said, “I can come” are direct quotation > < direct discourse > f. (1) : being without intermediate logical steps < direct proofs > (2) : independent of intermediate representations, percepts, images, or sense data < direct knowledge of things > g. : not requiring an intermediate host for completion : monoxenous — used of the life cycle or development of a parasitic organism h. : capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant : substantive — see direct dye5. a. : experienced personally without associative effort of anyone else < his account of the battle contains much direct evidence > < whereas to conceal direct pain was a virtue, to conceal vicarious pain was a sin — Jan Struther > specifically : firsthand < from direct experience with youngsters at camp > b. : active, personal, and responsible < taking direct charge of the distribution of relief funds > < the ordinary worker has a direct part in the production process > specifically : not deputed or to be deputed < few were willing to assume direct responsibility > 6. a. of a celestial body : moving in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde b. of a binary star : following the direction of increasing position angle : counterclockwise 7. of a sundialect : having a vertical face and facing squarely toward one of the cardinal points of the compass III. \də̇ˈrekt also dīˈ-, rapid ˈdre-\ adverb Etymology: Middle English, from direct, adjective : in a direct way: a. : from point to point without deviation : by the short or shortest way < by helicopter it is now possible to go direct from port to airport in forty minutes — Ivor Jones > < despatching individual books direct to individual teachers — James Britton > b. : from the source or the original without interruption or diversion < broadcast direct from ringside > < the writer must take his material direct from life — Douglas Stewart > c. : mechanically joined or in mesh : mechanically or electrically in contact < direct-controlled by the helmsman > d. (1) : without any intervening agency or step : without any intruding or diverting factor < some enter a career direct from college > < refusal to negotiate direct with the puppet regime > specifically : without use of a broker or other middleman < butter that is sold direct without going through the exchanges — Geoffrey Shepherd > (2) : explicitly , unequivocally < the right information direct from his office > < in reporting news the television camera brings the event and the personalities direct to the public — Collier's Year Book > (3) : verbatim < translated direct from the Russian text > IV. noun (-s) Etymology: direct (II) 1. : a character sometimes put at the end of a musical staff or page of music on a line or space corresponding to the position of the first note of the next staff as a warning to the performer — called also custos 2. : a direct package of postal matter |
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