What is direct to, what slides by, the question. Locke.

Be even and direct with me. Shak.

He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words. Locke.

A direct and avowed interference with elections. Hallam.

Direct action. (Mach.) See Direct- acting. -- Direct discourse (Gram.), the language of any one quoted without change in its form; as, he said "I can not come;" -- correlative to indirect discourse, in which there is change of form; as, he said that he could not come. They are often called respectively by their Latin names, oratio directa, and oratio obliqua. -- Direct evidence (Law), evidence which is positive or not inferential; -- opposed to circumstantial, or indirect, evidence. -- This distinction, however, 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.

The Lord direct your into the love of God. 2 Thess. iii. 5.

The next points to which I will direct your attention. Lubbock.

I will direct their work in truth. Is. lxi. 8.

I 'll first direct my men what they shall do. Shak.

Syn. -- To guide; lead; conduct; dispose; manage; regulate; order; instruct; command.

Wisdom is profitable to direct. Eccl. x. 10.