What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Determine vs Direct - What's the difference?

determine | direct |

In lang=en terms the difference between determine and direct

is that determine is to define or limit by adding a differentia while direct is to put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent.

As verbs the difference between determine and direct

is that determine is to set the limits of while direct is to manage, control, steer.

As an adjective direct is

straight, constant, without interruption.

As an adverb direct is

directly.

determine

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Verb

(determin)
  • To set the limits of.
  • * Bible, Acts xvii. 26
  • [God] hath determined the times before appointed.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
  • To ascertain definitely; to figure out.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Old soldiers? , passage=Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine . The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless.}}
  • To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
  • * J. Edwards
  • The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
  • * W. Black
  • something divinely beautiful that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life
  • To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to .
  • Someone else's will determined me to this course.
  • To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.
  • The court has determined the cause.
  • To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.
  • The news of his father's illness determined him to depart immediately.
  • (logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
  • (obsolete) To bring to an end; to finish.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Now, where is he that will not stay so long / Till his friend sickness hath determined me?

    Derived terms

    {{der3, determinant , determination , determiner , determinism , determinist , overdetermine , underdetermine}}

    direct

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Straight, constant, without interruption.
  • Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.
  • the most direct route between two buildings
  • Straightforward; sincere.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Be even and direct with me.
  • Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.
  • * John Locke
  • He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words.
  • * Hallam
  • a direct and avowed interference with elections
  • In the line of descent; not collateral.
  • a descendant in the direct line
  • (astronomy) In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; said of the motion of a celestial body.
  • Antonyms

    * indirect

    Derived terms

    * direct action * direct current * direct flight * direct initiative * direct object * direct quote

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Directly.
  • * 2009 , Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall , Fourth Estate 2010, p. 346:
  • Presumably Mary is to carry messages that she, Anne, is too delicate to convey direct .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To manage, control, steer.
  • to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army
  • To aim (something) at (something else).
  • They directed their fire towards the men on the wall.
    He directed his question to the room in general.
  • To point out or show to (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way.
  • He directed me to the left-hand road.
  • * Lubbock
  • the next points to which I will direct your attention
  • To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.
  • She directed them to leave immediately.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I'll first direct my men what they shall do.
  • (dated) To put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent.
  • to direct a letter

    Anagrams

    * * ----