direct

adjective

• 1extending or moving from one place to another by the shortest way without changing direction or stopping:there was no direct flight that day
• Astronomy & Astrology (of apparent planetary motion) proceeding from west to east in accord with actual motion.

• 2without intervening factors or intermediaries:the complications are a direct result of bacteria spreading
• (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.
• (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):nonviolence is the direct opposite of compulsion

• 3(of a person or their behavior) going straight to the point; frank.
• (of evidence or proof) bearing immediately and unambiguously upon the facts at issue:there is no direct evidence that officials accepted bribes

• 4perpendicular to a surface; not oblique:a direct butt joint between surfaces of steel

adverb

• with no one or nothing in between:buy direct and save
• by a straight route or without breaking a journey:Austrian Airlines is flying direct to Innsbruck again

verb

• 1control the operations of; manage or govern:an economic elite directed the nation’s affairs
• supervise and control (a movie, play, or other production, or the actors in it).
• (usually be directed) train and conduct (a group of musicians).

• 2aim (something) in a particular direction or at a particular person:heating ducts to direct warm air to rear-seat passengers his smile was directed at Laura
• tell or show (someone) how to get somewhere:can you direct me to the railroad station, please?
• address or give instructions for the delivery of (a letter or parcel).
• focus or concentrate (one’s attention, efforts, or feelings) on:we direct our anger and frustration at family
• (direct something at/to) address a comment to or aim a criticism at:he directed his criticism at media coverage of the Catholic Church I suggest that he direct his remarks to the council
• (direct something at) target a product specifically at (someone):the book is directed at the younger reader
• archaic guide or advise (someone or their judgment) in a course or decision:the conscience of the credulous prince was directed by saints and bishops

• 3 [with object and infinitive] give (someone) an official order or authoritative instruction:the judge directed him to perform community service [with clause]:he directed that no picture from his collection could be sold