indirect
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of INDIRECT
1
[more indirect; most indirect]
:
not direct: such as
a
:
not going straight from one point to another
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We took an indirect route.
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These plants grow best in bright indirect light/sun.
b
:
not said or done in a clear and direct way
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He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.
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They used indirect methods of investigation.
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There were many indirect references to his earlier books.
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Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.
c
:
not having a clear and direct connection
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Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.
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The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.
2
grammar
:
stating what an original speaker said without exactly quoting the words
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“He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech/discourse since his actual words were “I'll call later.”
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an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”
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an indirect quotation
— indirectly
adverb [more indirectly; most indirectly]-
He was indirectly involved in the robbery.
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The disease can be spread directly or indirectly.
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He answered our questions indirectly.
