(n) a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival, Syn. programmed cell death, caspase-mediated cell death
(adj) having no intervening persons, agents, conditions, Syn. unmediated, Example:in direct sunlight; in direct contact with the voters; direct exposure to the disease; a direct link; the direct cause of the accident; direct vote