direct

Where does the word "direct" come from? It comes from Latin dirigere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Direct’s story begins in Latin: dirigere meant “to guide straight.” To guide straight, from dis- (apart) and regere (to rule, guide). It reached English by 1400s as direct. Settled as the English word for guiding something toward a goal, or something straightforward. Today, direct means straightforward and without detour, or to guide something toward a goal.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dirigere "to guide straight", to guide straight, from dis- (apart) and regere (to rule, guide).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s direct "to guide toward a goal, or straightforward without detour", settled as the English word for guiding something toward a goal, or something straightforward.