\Di*rect"ly\, adv.
1. In a direct manner; in a straight line or course. ``To run
   directly on.'' --Shak.
         Indirectly and directly too Thou hast contrived
         against the very life Of the defendant. --Shak.
2. In a straightforward way; without anything intervening;
   not by secondary, but by direct, means.
3. Without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in
   express terms.
         No man hath hitherto been so impious as plainly and
         directly to condemn prayer.           --Hooker.
4. Exactly; just.
         Stand you directly in Antonius' way.  --Shak.
5. Straightforwardly; honestly.
         I have dealt most directly in thy affair. --Shak.
6. Manifestly; openly. [Obs.]
         Desdemona is directly in love with him. --Shak.
7. Straightway; next in order; without delay; immediately.
   ``Will she go now to bed?' ?Directly.''' --Shak.
8. Immediately after; as soon as.
         Directly he stopped, the coffin was removed.
                                               --Dickens.
Note: This use of the word is common in England, especially
      in colloquial speech, but it can hardly be regarded as
      a well-sanctioned or desirable use.
{Directly proportional} (Math.), proportional in the order of
   the terms; increasing or decreasing together, and with a
   constant ratio; -- opposed to {inversely proportional}.
Syn: Immediately; forthwith; straightway; instantly;
     instantaneously; soon; promptly; openly; expressly.
Usage: -- {Directly}, {Immediately}, {Instantly},
       {Instantaneously}. Directly denotes, without any delay
       or diversion of attention; immediately implies,
       without any interposition of other occupation;
       instantly implies, without any intervention of time.
       Hence, ``I will do it directly,'' means, ``I will go
       straightway about it.'' ``I will do it immediately,''
       means, ``I will do it as the very next thing.'' ``I
       will do it instantly,'' allows not a particle of
       delay. Instantaneously, like instantly, marks an
       interval too small to be appreciable, but commonly
       relates to physical causes; as, the powder touched by
       fire instantaneously exploded.