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.
Direct
(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 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.
Direct
(Di*rect") v. i. To give direction; to point out a course; to act as guide.
Wisdom is profitable to direct.
Eccl. x. 10. Direct
(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
Direct-acting
(Di*rect"-act`ing) a. (Mach.) Acting directly, as one part upon another, without the intervention
of other working parts.
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.
Directer
(Di*rect"er) n. One who directs; a director.
Directer plane (Geom.),
the plane to which all right-lined elements in a warped surface are parallel.
Direction
(Di*rec"tion) n. [L. directio: cf. F. direction.]