Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Directly?

\Di*rect"ly\, adv. 1. In a direct manner; in a straight line or course. ``To run directly on.'' --Shak. Indirectly and directly too Thou hast contrived against the very life Of the defendant. --Shak. 2. In a straightforward way; without anything intervening; not by secondary, but by direct, means. 3. Without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in express terms. No man hath hitherto been so impious as plainly and directly to condemn prayer. --Hooker. 4. Exactly; just. Stand you directly in Antonius' way. --Shak. 5. Straightforwardly; honestly. I have dealt most directly in thy affair. --Shak. 6. Manifestly; openly. [Obs.] Desdemona is directly in love with him. --Shak. 7. Straightway; next in order; without delay; immediately. ``Will she go now to bed?' ?Directly.''' --Shak. 8. Immediately after; as soon as. Directly he stopped, the coffin was removed. --Dickens. Note: 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. {Directly proportional} (Math.), proportional in the order of the terms; increasing or decreasing together, and with a constant ratio; -- opposed to {inversely proportional}. Syn: Immediately; forthwith; straightway; instantly; instantaneously; soon; promptly; openly; expressly. Usage: -- {Directly}, {Immediately}, {Instantly}, {Instantaneously}. Directly denotes, without any delay or diversion of attention; immediately implies, without any interposition of other occupation; instantly implies, without any intervention of time. Hence, ``I will do it directly,'' means, ``I will go straightway about it.'' ``I will do it immediately,'' means, ``I will do it as the very next thing.'' ``I will do it instantly,'' allows not a particle of delay. Instantaneously, like instantly, marks an interval too small to be appreciable, but commonly relates to physical causes; as, the powder touched by fire instantaneously exploded.