directionn.
/dᵻˈrɛkʃn/, /dʌɪˈrɛkʃn/, U.S. /dəˈrɛkʃən/, /daɪˈrɛkʃən/ 1. The action or function of directing:
Thesaurus »
a. of pointing or aiming anything straight towards a mark.
b. of putting or keeping in the right way or course; guidance, conduct.
Thesaurus »
c. of instructing how to proceed or act aright; authoritative guidance, instruction.
d. of keeping in right order; management, administration.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [noun] > direction
demeaning1429
stightlinga1500
direction1509
directing1530
amaining1553
government1556
demeanour1644
directory1647
directurea1677
bossing1864
masterminding1924
quarterbacking1938
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxiv. xiii She [nature] werketh upon all wonderly..In sondry wyse by great dyreccyon.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 138 Which thing was shewed vnto the kinges counsaile, by whose direction, the matter was committed vnto Sir Philip Basset.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 115 He is a Souldier fit to stand by Cæsar, And giue direction . View more context for this quotation
1618 W. Raleigh in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 38 Where without any direccion from me, a Spanish village was burnt.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. iv. viii. 113 Father Arnou, who was preferred by the Duke of Luynes, to the direction of the [King's] Conscience.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 36 The Steeples give a great direction to the Ships that sail that way.
1692 J. Locke 3rd Let. for Toleration ii. 57 Their want of Knowledg during their Non-age, makes them want Direction.
a1719 Bp. G. Smalridge Sixty Serm. (1727) 331 The direction of good works to a good end.
1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. ii. viii. 195 He may use one of his hands when necessary for the direction of the horses.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod ii. i. 60 [No] such precision..in the direction of the arrows.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ix, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 251 Who shall arraign the head by whose direction the act was done!
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. v. 422 The French prince followed the direction of his wiser instincts.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. xxi. 265 She felt the need of direction even in small things.
e. The art, technique, or an instance of directing a play, film, etc. (see direct v. 5c).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > [noun] > direction
direction1938
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > filming > [noun] > directing film
direction1938
1938 C. L. Morgan Flashing Stream 36 The play was first performed at the Lyric Theatre, London under the direction of Mr. Godfrey Tearle.
1939 W. C. Pryor & H. S. Pryor Let's go to Movies 45 (heading) Direction.
1949 G. B. Shaw in E. J. West Shaw on Theatre (1958) 279 They are not concerned with direction as a fine art; but they cover the mechanical and teachable conditions which are common to all productions.
1959 Oxf. Mag. 12 Mar. 338/1 The pace and punch of his direction, camera-work and cutting are far better than anything he ever did in England.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill in managing or directing
conductc1515
conveyance?1531
convoyance1578
conduction1579
direction1585
leading1598
managementa1715
generalship1759
coachmanship1776
stick-handling1969
1585 J. B. tr. P. Viret School of Beastes: Good Housholder sig. Avij Because of their industrie..and of that prudence and direction that they have.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. iii. 16 Call for some men of sound direction . View more context for this quotation
a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover ii. v. 6 in 3 New Playes (1655) The enemy must say we were not wanting In courage or direction.
3.
a. The office of a director; a body of directors; = directorate n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > director > body of
direction1710
directory1803
directorate1887
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 206. ⁋2 We met a Fellow who is a Lower Officer where Jack is in the Direction.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 154 A friend..will recommend you to the direction.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. vi. 62 I will ask some of the Direction.
1878 F. S. Williams Midland Railway (ed. 4) 124 Resignation by Mr. Hudson of his position on the direction.
Categories »
b. Music. The office or function of the conductor of an orchestra or choir: see direct v. 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [noun] > orderly condition or arrangement
ordinancec1390
pointa1393
direction1407
order?a1425
framec1475
orderliness1571
form1600
decorum1610
shape1633
disposurea1637
1407 Mann. & Househ. Exp. 173 Ȝeff ther be any derekesyon take at thes kowensel for the Kinges goenge.
1475 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 33 He shall see such a derection betwixt his brother Gascoin & you, as shalbe to your harts ease & worship.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cxxv The whiche variaunce to apese the Kynge toke therein some payne but no direccion he myghte set therein, so that the saide Duke & sir Iohn deperted with wordes of diffiaunce.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xv And there remained at the kynges charge, til other direccion was taken for theim.
5.
a. with a and plural: An instruction how to proceed or act; an order to be carried out, a precept.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > [noun] > injunction or instruction > an injunction or instruction
charge138.
advisementa1387
instruction1410
jointc1475
injunction1526
special order1547
direction1576
encharge1595
direct1615
directing1632
directive1642
game law1820
mot d'ordre1905
1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Plinius Novocomensis in Panoplie Epist. 257 I set downe directions and precepts, how you should order and dispose your studies.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 129 He..took little or nothing but by the Doctors directions.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 10 I desire this Account may pass with them, rather for a Direction to themselves to act by.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod Introd. 24 The stage direction then requires the entry of Two men.
a1832 H. J. Rose Theol. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) II. 897/1 His [Christ's] direction in the case of an offending brother, ‘tell it to the Church’..would be unintelligible, if there were no visible Church.
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) II. xxx. 569 His instructions contained the following directions.
b. Instruction how to go to a place.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun]
conductc1290
safe conduct?a1400
guidance1590
direction1596
wayfare1876
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. i. sig. Z4 Withouten guyde, Or good direction, how to enter in. View more context for this quotation
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvi. x. 80 Fitzpatrick..was enquiring in the Street after his Wife, and had just received Directions to the Door.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. 152 I..beg of you to provide him with proper directions for finding me in London.
6. † b. The dedication or address of a writing. Obsolete.
a. The action of directing or addressing a letter, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > [noun] > addressing letter
direction1524
backing1833
1524 T. Wolsey Let. 24 Apr. (modernized text) in M. A. E. Wood Lett. Royal & Illustrious Ladies (1846) I. 315 It was folded in the said paper, without direction to any person, and sealed semblably with a letter of a contrary tenor.
ΚΠ
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. B4 That it [sc. a letter] conteine not matter of scurrilitie..otherwise than beseemeth a direction so worthie.
1663 King Charles II in J. M. Cartwright Madame (1894) 138 A little booke..by the derections you will see where 'tis to be had.
c. The superscription or address upon a letter or parcel sent, indicating for whom it is intended, and where it is to be taken; the name of the place at which letters for a particular person are to be delivered; = address n. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > [noun] > addressing letter > address
superscription1464
direction1586
superscript1598
address1622
inscription1741
home address1847
post-office address1849
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C3v The directions, which on the outside of euery Letter..are for the moste part infixed, and commonly are termed by the name of Superscriptions.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 10 Mar. (1965) I. 379 I have receiv'd..your short note..in which you..promise me a Direction for the place you stay in.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiii. ii. 8 The proper Direction to him was, To Dr. Misaubin, in the World . View more context for this quotation
1786 R. Burns Let. 27 Dec. (2001) I. 76 My direction is, Care of Andrew Bruce, Mercht Bridge-street.
1858 A. H. Clough Amours de Voyage in Atlantic Monthly May 788 Has he not written to you?—he did not know your direction.
1886 Notes & Queries 7th Ser. 2 425/1 These letters..retain their directions..and bear the postmarks of the period.
Categories »
d. U.S. Law. ‘In equity pleading, that part of the bill containing the address to the court’ (Cent. Dict.). (Called in England the address.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [noun]
heartOE
erda1000
moodOE
i-mindOE
i-cundeOE
costc1175
lundc1175
evena1200
kinda1225
custc1275
couragec1300
the manner ofc1300
qualityc1300
talentc1330
attemperancec1374
complexionc1386
dispositiona1387
propertyc1390
naturea1393
assay1393
inclinationa1398
gentlenessa1400
proprietya1400
habitudec1400
makingc1400
conditionc1405
habitc1405
conceitc1425
affecta1460
ingeny1477
engine1488
stomach?1510
mind?a1513
ingine1533
affection1534
vein1536
humour?1563
natural1564
facultyc1565
concept1566
frame1567
temperature1583
geniusa1586
bent1587
constitution1589
composition1597
character1600
tune1600
qualification1602
infusion1604
spirits1604
dispose1609
selfness1611
disposure1613
composurea1616
racea1616
tempera1616
crasisc1616
directiona1639
grain1641
turn1647
complexure1648
genie1653
make1674
personality1710
tonea1751
bearing1795
liver1800
make-up1821
temperament1821
naturalness1850
selfhood1854
Wesen1854
naturel1856
sit1857
fibre1864
character structure1873
mentality1895
mindset1909
psyche1910
where it's (he's, she's) at1967
a1639 H. Wotton Short View Life Duke of Buckingham (1642) 27 His Religious Lady, of sweet and Noble direction.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > planet > planetary movement > [noun] > direct motion
progression1556
profection1650
direction1658
consequence1771
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Direction, a Planet is said direct, when it moveth in its natural course according to the direction of the Signs.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Direction, in Astronomy, the Motion, and other Phænomena of a Planet, when direct.
1790 E. Sibly Astrol. (1792) I. 147 Direction signifies a planet moving on in its natural course from west to east.
9.
a. The particular course or line pursued by any moving body, as defined by the part or region of space, point of the compass, or other fixed or known point, towards which it is directed; the relative point towards which one moves, turns the face, the mind, etc.; the line towards any point or region in its relation to other lines taken as known. angle of direction, line of direction: see quots. 1706, 1728.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [noun]
sideOE
wayOE
coast1377
partc1380
airta1400
quarter1604
carriage1663
direction1665
range1678
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [noun] > course or direction of movement
runeeOE
runningOE
pathOE
wayOE
tracea1300
coursec1380
coursec1380
racec1390
recourse?c1425
situation1517
journey?a1560
track1565
roadway1600
career?1614
direction1665
by-run1674
sensea1679
meith1726
heading1841
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 100 The undulating pulse is..at right angles with the Ray or Line of direction.
1705 S. Clarke Being & Attrib. God ix. 137 The Direction of all their [the planets'] Motions..from West to East.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Line of Direction (in Mechan.) is the Line of Motion that any natural body observes according to the Force impressed upon it.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Angle of Direction, in Mechanicks, is that comprehended between the Lines of Direction of two conspiring Powers.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 47 The tides..move it in two different directions four times in the natural day.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §15. 99 Their parts never continue long in the same right line. They vary their direction every moment.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales II. 103 The trout were darting about in all directions.
1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 71 The direction of this rotation is changed by changing the direction of the magnetic force.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 6 These terms—north and south, east and west..indicate definite directions.
1879 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait Treat. Nat. Philos. (new ed.) I: Pt. i. §218 The direction of a force is the line in which it acts. If the place of application of a force be regarded as a point, a line through that point, in the direction in which the force tends to move the body, is the direction of the force.
1896 N.E.D. at Direction Mod. Tell me in what direction to look. He has gone in the direction of Warwick. In what direction is Versailles from Paris?
b. figurative in reference to a course of action or the like, viewed as motion.
ΚΠ
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 206. ⁋3 A Man, actuated at once by different desires, must move in a direction peculiar to himself.
c1790 J. Willock Voy. diverse parts 306 Of late..politics have taken a new direction.
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. i. 5 Too often the impulse which sprang from a public source, took the direction of a private end.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §4. 308 Efforts..in the direction of educational and religious reform.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 519 New directions of enquiry.
10. Astrology. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1706 in Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.)
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Direction, in Astrology, is a Kind of Calculus, whereby they pretend to find the Time wherein any notable Accident shall befal the Person whose Horoscope is drawn.
1819 J. Wilson Compl. Dict. Astrol. (at cited word) Primary directions are arithmetical calculations of the time of events caused by the significator forming conjunctions, or aspects, with the places of promittors.
1819 J. Wilson Compl. Dict. Astrol. (at cited word) The distance of the place of a significator in a nativity from the place he must arrive at before he can form the aspect..is called the arc of direction.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
direction-giver n.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. ii. 89 Sweet Protheus, my direction-giuer, Let vs into the City presently. View more context for this quotation
direction-paper n.
ΚΠ
1769 B. Franklin Let. 11 Mar. in Wks. (1887) IV. 233 Enclosed is his direction-paper for opening and fixing it.
C2.
direction cosines n. the cosines of the angles which a given direction makes with the three axes of coordinates in space.
direction-finder n. Telecommunications a receiving device that determines from which direction radio waves come to it; so direction-finding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [noun] > finding direction
orientation1883
self-orientation1886
direction-finding1913
orienting1977
the world > space > direction > [noun] > finding direction > device for finding direction
orientator1844
locator1904
direction-finder1913
D.F.1920
1913 Year-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. 307 Direction-finding from ship-board.
1913 Year-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. 316 The uses of the direction-finder.
1919 R. Stanley Text-bk. Wireless Telegr. (ed. 2) II. 270 A direction-finding aerial system.
1920 Discovery May 131/2 The Marconi direction-finder not only receives wireless signals; it also indicates the direction of the sending station.
1921 L. B. Turner Wireless Telegr. 178 Direction-finding stations on land..are usually grouped in pairs at the ends of a suitable base line, so that the intersection of the two orientations determined gives the position of the source of signal, e.g. a ship or an aeroplane.
1935 Discovery June 155/2 The practical problems of direction-finding are closely connected with the vagaries of the waves returned from the ionosphere, and continued success has been attained in the development of direction-finders less subject to the errors produced by these waves.
1946 Electronic Engin. 18 20 An automatic V.H.F. direction finder.
1966 M. R. D. Foot SOE in France x. 324 He tried to get in touch with Dowlen; but Dowlen was caught by direction-finders.
direction indicator n. a device on a motor vehicle used to indicate the direction the driver intends to take; = trafficator n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > direction indicator
indicator1932
trafficator1933
direction indicator1937
signal1939
turn signal1949
winker1951
flasher1958
indicator lamp1961
indicator light1961
1937 Times 13 Apr. p. xxii/4 The makers of direction indicators and fog and anti-dazzle lamps.
1959 Motor Man. (ed. 36) vi. 183 Another change since the war has been the progressive displacement of the semaphore-type of direction indicator by flashing light signals.
direction-post n. a finger-post at the branching of a road, a directing post.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > that which guides or leads > signpost or stone
Mercury's finger1589
signpost1597
mercurial statue1638
way-post1647
mercury1668
mercury's statue1684
mercurial stone1716
waywiser1725
guide-post1761
cross in the hands1762
fingerpost1762
guide stone1762
handpost1764
parson1785
fingerboard1793
direction-post1795
guide-board1810
signboard1829
handing-post1837
directing-post1876
1795 tr. K. P. Moritz Trav. Eng. 142 Where there are cross-roads, there are direction posts, so that it is hardly possible to lose oneself in walking.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) ii. 10 A direction-post, which is always telling the way to a place.
1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism ii. 35 To inform a traveller..is not to forbid the use of direction-posts on the way.
direction-ratio n. the ratio of one of the oblique coordinates of a point to the distance of the point from the origin.
direction-word n. = catchword n. 1.
ΚΠ
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Direction-word..a Word set at the bottom of a Page directing or shewing the first word of the next page.
Derivatives
diˈrectionism n. the theory of a directing power underlying the material forces of the universe.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > absolute idealism > [noun] > other doctrines and their adherents
self-realization1813
directionism1894
transmental1905
Crocean1921
sacramentalism1936
transphenomenality1957
society > faith > aspects of faith > doctrine > doctrine concerning God or a god > [noun] > directionism
directionism1894
1894 Month June 281 He..supposes a power underlying the whole, which he calls ‘directionism’; as an antagonistic view to that of mere materialism.
diˈrectionless adj. void of aim or direction.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > [adjective] > moving without fixed course
vaganta1382
scatteringc1450
stragglinga1560
wandering1590
undirecteda1599
wayless1605
planetary1607
rambling?1609
exorbitant1613
exorbitating1632
random1655
unconducteda1677
devious1735
truant1791
wild1810
erratic1841
directionless1860
scrolloping1923
1860 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters V. 27 An aspen or elm leaf is thin, tremulous, and directionless, compared with the spear-like setting and firm substance of a rhododendron or laurel leaf.
1873 W. Pater Stud. Hist. Renaissance viii. 190 The eyes are wide and directionless, not fixing anything with their gaze.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.1407