direct

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord direct your into the love of God. 2 Thess. iii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

The next points to which I will direct your attention. Lubbock. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will direct their work in truth. Is. lxi. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order; as, he directed them to go. [ 1913 Webster ]

I 'll first direct my men what they shall do. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To give direction; to point out a course; to act as guide. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wisdom is profitable to direct. Eccl. x. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mus.) A character, thus [ &unr_; ], 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). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Mach.) Acting directly, as one part upon another, without the intervention of other working parts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Direct-acting steam engine, one in which motion is transmitted to the crank without the intervention of a beam or lever; -- also called direct-action steam engine. --
Direct-acting steam pump, one in which the steam piston rod is directly connected with the pump rod; -- also called direct-action steam pump. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Coupled without intermediate connections, as an engine and a dynamo.

Direct-coupled antenna (Wireless Teleg.), an antenna connected electrically with one point of a closed oscillation circuit in syntony with it and earthed. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Elec.) (a) A current flowing in one direction only; -- distinguished from alternating current. When steady and not pulsating a direct current is often called a continuous current. (b)
A direct induced current, or momentary current of the same direction as the inducing current, produced by stopping or removing the latter; also, a similar current produced by removal of a magnet. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adj. 1. having a specified direction; often used in combination; as, goal-directed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. marked with a destination; -- of mail or parcels; as, I throw away all mail directed to `resident'. Opposite of unaddressed.
Syn. -- addressed. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. One who directs; a director. [ 1913 Webster ]

Directer plane (Geom.), the plane to which all right-lined elements in a warped surface are parallel. [ 1913 Webster ]