Part 3148

<blockquote><b>Directly</b> he stopped, the coffin was removed. <i>Dickens.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; This use of the word is common in England, especially in colloquial speech, but it can hardly be regarded as a well-sanctioned or desirable use.</note>

<cs><col>Directly proportional</col> <fld>(Math.)</fld>, <cd>proportional in the order of the terms; increasing or decreasing together, and with a constant ratio; -- opposed to <i>inversely proportional<i>.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Immediately; forthwith; straightway; instantly; instantaneously; soon; promptly; openly; expressly.</syn> <usage>-- <er>Directly</er>, <er>Immediately</er>, <er>Instantly</er>, <er>Instantaneously</er>. <i>Directly</i> denotes, without any delay or diversion of attention; <i>immediately</i> implies, without any interposition of other occupation; <i>instantly</i> implies, without any intervention of time. Hence, "I will do it <i>directly</i>," means, "I will go <i>straightway</i> about it." "I will do it <i>immediately</i>," means, "I will do it as the very <i>next</i> thing." "I will do it <i>instantly</i>," allows not a particle of delay. <i>Instantaneously</i>, like <i>instantly</i>, marks an interval too small to be appreciable, but commonly relates to physical causes; <as>as, the powder touched by fire <ex>instantaneously</ex> exploded</as>.</usage>

<hr> <page="417"> Page 417<p>

<h1>Directness</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"ness</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The quality of being direct; straightness; straightforwardness; immediateness.</def>

<h1>Director</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"or</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>directeur</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>One who, or that which, directs; one who regulates, guides, or orders; a manager or superintendent.</def>

<blockquote>In all affairs thou sole <b>director</b>. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>One of a body of persons appointed to manage the affairs of a company or corporation; <as>as, the <ex>directors</ex> of a bank, insurance company, or railroad company</as>.</def>

<blockquote>What made <b>directors</b> cheat in South-Sea year? <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>A part of a machine or instrument which directs its motion or action.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Surg.)</fld> <def>A slender grooved instrument upon which a knife is made to slide when it is wished to limit the extent of motion of the latter, or prevent its injuring the parts beneath.</def>

<h1>Directorate</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"o*rate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>directorat</ets>.]</ety> <def>The office of director; also, a body of directors taken jointly.</def>

<h1>Directorial</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rec*to"ri*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>directorial</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Having the quality of a director, or authoritative guide; directive.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Pertaining to: director or directory; specifically, relating to the Directory of France under the first republic. See <er>Directory</er>, 3.</def>

<blockquote>Whoever goes to the <b>directorial</b> presence under this passport. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Directorship</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"or*ship</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The condition or office of a director; directorate.</def>

<h1>Directory</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"o*ry</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>directorius</ets>.]</ety> <def>Containing directions; enjoining; instructing; directorial.</def>

<h1>Directory</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Di*rect"o*ry</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Directories</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu>