directlyadv.
/dᵻˈrɛktli/, /dʌɪˈrɛktli/, U.S. /dəˈrɛk(t)li/, /daɪˈrɛk(t)li/ In a direct manner or way.
1.
a. In a straight line of motion; with undeviating course; straight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [adverb] > straight or due
rightOE
rightlyOE
evenc1300
plata1450
plain1509
straight1512
directly1513
fulla1529
flat1531
due?1574
dead1800
slap1829
plunk1866
squarely1883
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > a straight course > [adverb]
forth847
righteOE
forthrighta1000
rightlyOE
anonOE
evenc1300
even-forthc1300
straight13..
streck13..
gainc1330
streckly1340
right fortha1382
straightly1395
evenly?c1400
outrightc1400
straightway1461
endlong1470
fair1490
directly1513
fulla1529
forth on1529
straightforth1530
directedly1539
aright?a1560
direct1568
endways1575
point-blank1607
progressivelya1716
unswervingly1805
straightforward1809
undeviatingly1812
undeviously1813
slap1829
arrow-straight1831
1513 T. More in R. Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 800 The king with Queene Anne his wife, came downe out of the white Hall..and went directly to the kinges Benche.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. i. 32 A Creature that I teach to fight, To winde, to stop, to run directly on. View more context for this quotation
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 3 Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto. View more context for this quotation
a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1684) 154 Cutting through one of them either directly or crosswise.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. i. 9 To proceed from Achaia directly by sea to Syria.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions I. 304 [It] advanced directly towards us with a velocity of about three knots.
b. figurative. Straightforwardly; pointedly; simply; plainly; †correctly, rightly (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > plainness > [adverb] > straightforwardly or directly
platc1375
in short and plainc1386
plaina1387
platlyc1390
in (also at, on, unto) (a, the) plainc1395
roundc1405
homelya1413
directly1509
roundly1528
point-blank1598
in good set termsa1616
broadly1624
crudely1638
plain downa1640
plumply1726
plumpa1734
squably1737
straightforward1809
unvarnishedly1824
pine-blank1834
blankly1846
squarely1860
straight out1874
straightforwardly1906
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure v. ii [Grammar] doth us tech..In all good ordre to speke directly.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 He would yt point should be lesse..handled, not euen fully plain & directly, but..touched a slope craftely.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 1339 He might firste aske a question before he aunswered directly to the poynte.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 249 Not being able to discern directly what likenesse they were of.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 136. ⁋3 I never directly defame, but I do what is as bad.
1791 E. Burke Corr. (1844) III. 274 I asked him his opinion directly, and without management.
c. Mathematics. Opposed to inversely.
ΚΠ
1743 W. Emerson Doctr. Fluxions iii. vii. 274 The Times of describing any Spaces uniformly are as the Spaces directly, and the Velocities reciprocally.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (new ed.) I. 384/2 Quantities are said to be directly proportional, when the proportion is according to the order of the terms.
1799 Count Rumford in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 89 191 The time taken up..is..as the capacity of the body to receive and retain heat, directly, and as its conducting power, inversely.
1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic xii. 413 The theory of gravitation, or the doctrine that every body attracts every other body with a force which is directly as its mass and inversely as the square of its distance.
2. At right angles to a surface; perpendicularly; vertically; not obliquely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > position at right angles to something > [adverb]
straightly1395
squarewise1546
directly1559
orthogonally?a1560
perpendicularly1570
rightly1594
square1631
rectangularly1646
right-angular1676
normally1869
squarely1873
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 29 Take a quadrant..and set it directly upright.
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors i. f. 4 In places where the Sunnes beames strike directly against the earth..the heat is so great, that [etc.].
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 130 This does shoot or propend directly downwards.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 186 Nearer the Equator the Sun and Stars ascend and descend more directly, but the farther from the Equator the more obliquely.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 243 They use a Pencil, held..not obliquely, as our Painters, but directly, as if the Paper were to be prick'd.
1896 N.E.D. at Directly Mod. The wind is blowing directly on shore.
3. Astronomy. In the order of the signs, from west to east. See direct adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > planet > planetary movement > [adverb] > direct
directly1509
posigrade1975
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxii. vi The bodies above to have their moving In the xii. signes..Some rethrogarde, and some dyrectly.
4. Completely, absolutely, entirely, exactly, precisely, just.Esp. in directly contrary (see direct adj. 4e); thence extended to other relations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1455 Rolls of Parl. V. 280 Entendyng to drawe directly togidres with you.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 4 If he..leuiþ to wirke, and doþ contrarily directly.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. M5 It is most directly against the word of God.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 64 This concurres directly with the Letter. View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 192 I found one described and Figur'd directly like that which I had by me.
1696 tr. J. Dumont New Voy. Levant 219 It stands directly in the middle of the City, between the Old and New Town.
1728 J. Swift Intelligencer (1729) ix. 80 In better Times it was directly otherwise.
1768 J. Boswell Acct. Corsica (ed. 2) 356 He was directly such a venerable hermit as we read of in the old romances.
1863 M. Howitt tr. F. Bremer Greece & Greeks II. ii. 20 The wind..is directly contrary.
1891 Sir R. V. Williams in Law Times' Rep. 65 608/2 I find no decision directly in point on this question.
5. Without the intervention of a medium or agent; immediately; by a direct process or mode.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > [adverb] > operating directly
directly1526
head-on1902
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > immediately or directly
immediately1412
directly1526
amain1560
immediate1601
directedlya1641
proximately1668
proximally1897
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKiiiv Immediatly or mediatly: that is to say, without meane, or by some meane, directly or indirectly.
1533 J. Frith Bk. answeringe Mores Let. sig. Gvj Now of this maior or first proposition thus vnderstand doth the conclusion follow directlye.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxviii. 163 Corporall Punishment is that, which is inflicted on the body directly..such as are stripes or wounds.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 58 When the needful does not come directly out of their own pockets.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. v. 251 The sun cannot get directly at the deeper portions of the snow.
1870 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. (1873) 137 A universal primeval language revealed directly by God to man.
6.
a. Immediately (in time); straightway; at once.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 200 And who in want a hollow friend doth try, Directly seasons him his enemy. View more context for this quotation
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 18 Sent the Barge ashore..to see if the Place was inhabited, and to return aboard directly.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. i. 12 He sat down: but he did not get leave to speak directly.
1881 W. Blades Life & Typogr. W. Caxton (1882) 230 It was probably put to press directly after if not during the translation.
1896 N.E.D. at Directly Mod. I will come directly. Directly after this, he was taken away.
b. colloquial as conj. As soon as, the moment after. (Elliptical for directly that, as, or when.)
ΚΠ
1795 Montford Castle I. 88 Directly you refused [his] assistance, a judgement overtook you.
1827 R. H. Froude Remains (1838) I. 68 I quite forget all my scepticism directly I fancy myself the object of their perception.
1837 J. H. Newman Lect. Prophetical Office Church 2 But it admits of criticism, and will become suspected, directly it is accused.
1837 R. B. Ede Pract. Facts Chem. 74 Iodine and phosphorus combine directly they come into contact.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xii. 677 The celebrated work of De Lolme on the English constitution was suppressed..directly it appeared.
c. Shortly; very soon; in a little while. dialect and U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > imminently or in the near future
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
soonc900
shortlya1050
newenc1175
newlya1225
nunonc1225
newenlyc1275
fast byc1300
tomorrowa1382
brieflyc1460
anonc1475
soonlyc1475
of newa1500
suddenlya1500
by and by1526
soon1545
imminently1548
short1556
erelong1577
eminently1646
bimeby1722
directly1851
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick iii. 14 Supper?—you want supper? Supper'll be ready directly!
1882 ‘M. Twain’ Stolen White Elephant xvi. 268 When you say you will do a thing ‘directly’, you mean ‘immediately’; in the American language—generally speaking—the word signifies ‘after a little’.
1891 R. P. Chope Dial. Hartland, Devonshire 40 Drackly or dreckly, directly; in the dialect this does not mean immediately, but shortly. ‘I'll kom drackly; I mus' finish ot I'm 'bout fust.’
1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind xlvi. 824 Scarlett..leaned over the banisters. ‘I'll be down terrectly, Rhett,’ she called.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1455