directˈrix noun (pl directrices /-triˈsēz/)

1. See director above
2. A line serving to describe a conic section, which is the locus of a point whose distances from focus and directrix have a constant ratio (geometry)

direct access noun (computing)

The ability to access data in a storage and retrieval system directly without having to scan any part of the storage file first (also random access)

direct action noun

Coercive methods of attaining industrial or political ends as opposed to pacific, parliamentary or political action

direct broadcast satellite noun (telecommunications)

A high-power geostationary communications satellite from which television programmes are beamed directly to the viewer, rather than being redistributed by cable or other means

direct cost noun (accounting)

One that can be measured and identified as being incurred on a specific job, contract or process

direct current noun

An electric current flowing in one direction only

direct debit noun

An arrangement by which a creditor can claim payment direct from the payer's bank account, and the payee can vary the amount paid

direct discourse see direct speech below.

direct drilling noun

The ploughing and sowing of a field in one operation

directed-energy weapon noun

A weapon whose destructive force consists of beams of light, electromagnetic pulses, subatomic particles or the like

direct-grant school noun

(until 1979) a fee-paying school that received a state grant on condition that it took a specified number of non-fee-paying pupils

direct injection noun

A system of fuel injection in an internal-combustion engine where a carburettor is not used but fuel is injected directly into the cylinder

directional aerial noun

One that can receive or transmit radio waves in one direction only

directional drilling noun (oil)

A method of drilling in which the well is not drilled vertically, a technique, used esp in offshore drilling, where a number of wells may be drilled from a single platform

directional microphone noun

A microphone in which the response depends on the direction of the sound waves

direcˈtion-finder noun

A radio receiver that determines the direction of arrival of incoming waves, used esp in navigation

direcˈtion-indicator noun

An aerial navigation device in which needles of actual and desired course overlap when the aircraft is on its true course

direct labour noun

Labour employed directly, not through a contractor

direct mail noun (marketing)

The sending of promotional material to named potential customers by means of the postal service

direct mail advertising noun (marketing).

direct mailshot noun (marketing)

A single mailing in a campaign for a particular product or service, etc

direct marketing or direct selling noun

Selling of products or services by manufacturers or producers directly to consumers without using a retail outlet

direct method noun

A method of teaching a foreign language through speaking it, without translation, and without formal instruction in grammar

direct motion noun (music)

Progression of parts in the same direction (also called similar motion)

direct object noun

A word or group of words denoting that upon which the action of a transitive verb is directed

director circle noun

The locus of the intersection of a pair of tangents to a conic at right angles to each other

directˈor-genˈeral noun

A chief administrator of a usu non-commercial organization

director of public prosecutions see under prosecute

director's chair noun

A light folding chair with seat and back of canvas or similar material and armrests

director's cut noun

The version of a cinema film preferred by its director as opposed to one edited by another, often incorporating scenes omitted from the commercially released version

directory enquiries singular noun

A telephone service in which a customer will be told the relevant telephone number from the directory for any name and address specified to the operator

direct selling see direct marketing above.

direct speech or (US) direct discourse noun

Speech reported as spoken, in the very words of the speaker (L ōrātiō rēcta)

direct tax noun

One levied directly from individuals or organizations, rather than on goods or services