Di*rect" (?), a. [L. directus, p. p. of dirigere to direct: cf. F. direct. See Dress, and cf. Dirge.]

1.

Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end; as, a direct line; direct means.

What is direct to, what slides by, the question.
Locke.

2.

Straightforward; not of crooked ways, or swerving from truth and openness; sincere; outspoken.

Be even and direct with me.
Shak.

3.

Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.

He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words.
Locke.

A direct and avowed interference with elections.
Hallam.

4.

In the line of descent; not collateral; as, a descendant in the direct line.

5. (Astron.)

In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; -- said of the motion of a celestial body.

Direct action. (Mach.) See Direct- acting. --
Direct discourse (Gram.), the language of any one quoted without change in its form; as, he said "I can not come;" -- correlative to indirect discourse, in which there is change of form; as, he said that he could not come. They are often called respectively by their Latin names, oratio directa, and oratio obliqua. --
Direct evidence (Law), evidence which is positive or not inferential; -- opposed to circumstantial, or indirect, evidence. -- This distinction, however, is merely formal, since there is no direct evidence that is not circumstantial, or dependent on circumstances for its credibility. Wharton. --
Direct examination (Law), the first examination of a witness in the orderly course, upon the merits. Abbott. --
Direct fire (Mil.), fire, the direction of which is perpendicular to the line of troops or to the parapet aimed at. --
Direct process (Metal.), one which yields metal in working condition by a single process from the ore. Knight. --
Direct tax, a tax assessed directly on lands, etc., and polls, distinguished from taxes on merchandise, or customs, and from excise.

 

© Webster 1913


Di*rect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Directed; p. pr. & vb. n. Directing.]

1.

To arrange in a direct or straight line, as against a mark, or towards a goal; to point; to aim; as, to direct an arrow or a piece of ordnance.

2.

To point out or show to (any one), as the direct or right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way; as, he directed me to the left-hand road.

The Lord direct your into the love of God.
2 Thess. iii. 5.

The next points to which I will direct your attention.
Lubbock.

3.

To determine the direction or course of; to cause to go on in a particular manner; to order in the way to a certain end; to regulate; to govern; as, to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army.

I will direct their work in truth.
Is. lxi. 8.

4.

To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order; as, he directed them to go.

I 'll first direct my men what they shall do.
Shak.

5.

To put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent; to superscribe; as, to direct a letter.

Syn. -- To guide; lead; conduct; dispose; manage; regulate; order; instruct; command.

 

© Webster 1913


Di*rect" (?), v. i.

To give direction; to point out a course; to act as guide.

Wisdom is profitable to direct.
Eccl. x. 10.

 

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Di*rect", n. (Mus.)

A character, thus [&?;], placed at the end of a staff on the line or space of the first note of the next staff, to apprise the performer of its situation. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

 

© Webster 1913


Di*rect", a. (Political Science)

Pertaining to, or effected immediately by, action of the people through their votes instead of through one or more representatives or delegates; as, direct nomination, direct legislation.

 

© Webster 1913

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