indirection
/ɪndɪˈrɛkʃ(ə)n
/ /ɪndʌɪˈrɛkʃ(ə)n/noun [mass noun]
Indirectness or lack of straightforwardness in action, speech, or progression: his love of intrigue and sly indirection...
- Rather, the commission is likely to pursue consumption taxation by stealth and indirection.
- The ferry barges across the seafront for its dock with categoric straightness, welcome after the shambles and indirection of Portsmouth.
- His method is understatement, indirection, irony.
Origin
Late 16th century: from indirect, on the pattern of direction.