HyperDic: indirect

English > 5 senses of the word indirect:
ADJECTIVEallindirecthaving intervening factors or persons or influences
allindirectnot direct in spatial dimension
allindirect, collateraldescended from a common ancestor but through different lines
allindirectextended senses
allindirectnot as a direct effect or consequence
indirect > pronunciation
Soundsihndereh'kt
Rhymesabject ... wrecked: 66 rhymes with ehkt...
English > indirect: 5 senses > adjective 1
MeaningHaving intervening factors or persons or influences.
Examples
  • "reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light"
  • "indirect evidence"
  • "an indirect cause"
BroadermediateActing through or dependent on an intervening agency
Spanishindirecto
Catalanindirecte
English > indirect: 5 senses > adjective 2
Meaningnot direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination.
Examples
  • "sometimes taking an indirect path saves time"
  • "you must take an indirect course in sailing"
Attribute ofdirectness, straightnesstrueness of course toward a goal / goal
Narroweraskance, askant, asquint, squint, squint-eyed, squinty, sidelong(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy
devious, circuitous, roundaboutdeviating from a straight course
diversionary(of tactics e.g.) likely or designed to confuse or deceive
meandering, rambling, wandering, windingOf a path e.g.
See alsocrookedHaving or marked by bends or angles
Oppositedirectdirect in spatial dimensions
Spanishindirecto
Nounsindirectnesshaving the characteristic / characteristic of lacking a true course toward a goal / goal
English > indirect: 5 senses > adjective 3
Meaningdescended from a common ancestor but through different lines.
Example "an indirect descendant of the Stuarts"
Synonymcollateral
See alsorelatedConnected by kinship, common origin, or marriage
Oppositelineal, directIn a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
Spanishcolateral
Catalancolateral
English > indirect: 5 senses > adjective 4
MeaningExtended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action.
Examples
  • "making indirect but legitimate inquiries"
  • "an indirect insult"
  • "doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind"
  • "though his methods are indirect they are not dishonest"
  • "known as a shady indirect fellow"
NarrowerallusiveCharacterized by indirect references
backhandedroundabout or ambiguous
circuitous, roundaboutmarked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct
circumlocutious, circumlocutory, periphrastic, ambagiousroundabout and unnecessarily wordy
devious, obliqueindirect in departing from the accepted or proper way
digressive, discursive, excursive, rambling(of e.g. speech / speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
hearsayheard through another rather than directly
mealymouthed, mealy-mouthedhesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy
tortuousnot straightforward
OppositedirectStraightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action
Spanishindirecto
Adverbsindirectlynot in a forthright manner
English > indirect: 5 senses > adjective 5
Meaningnot as a direct effect or consequence.
Examples
  • "indirect benefits"
  • "an indirect advantage"
BroadersecondaryOf second rank or importance or value
Nounsindirectnesshaving the characteristic / characteristic of lacking a true course toward a goal / goal

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