Direct
/dɪˈrɛkt/noun
Going straight toward a target; straightforward or immediate.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *dirigere*, used for steering, aligning, and even “setting” things straight, which is why its relatives drift into ideas like rule, order, and guidance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reg-
“to move in a straight line; to direct, guide, or rule”
Latin
Latin
regere
“to keep straight, guide, govern”
Latin
Latin
dirigere
“to set straight, align, direct”
Old French
OF
direct
“straight, direct; guided”
Middle English
English
direct
“straight, immediate, without turning aside”
Modern English
English
direct
“going straight toward a target; straightforward or immediate”