\Di*rec"tion\, n. [L. directio: cf. F. direction.]
1. The act of directing, of aiming, regulating, guiding, or
   ordering; guidance; management; superintendence;
   administration; as, the direction o? public affairs or of
   a bank.
         I do commit his youth To your direction. --Shak.
         All nature is but art, unknown to thee; ll chance,
         direction, which thou canst not see.  --Pope.
2. That which is imposed by directing; a guiding or
   authoritative instruction; prescription; order; command;
   as, he grave directions to the servants.
         The princes digged the well . . . by the direction
         of the law giver.                     --Numb. xxi.
                                               18.
3. The name and residence of a person to whom any thing is
   sent, written upon the thing sent; superscription;
   address; as, the direction of a letter.
4. The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed
   to move, or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim;
   line or point of tendency; direct line or course; as, the
   ship sailed in a southeasterly direction.
5. The body of managers of a corporation or enterprise; board
   of directors.
6. (Gun.) The pointing of a piece with reference to an
   imaginary vertical axis; -- distinguished from elevation.
   The direction is given when the plane of sight passes
   through the object. --Wilhelm.
Syn: Administration; guidance; management; superintendence;
     oversight; government; order; command; guide; clew.
Usage: {Direction}, {Control}, {Command}, {Order}. These
       words, as here compared, have reference to the
       exercise of power over the actions of others. Control
       is negative, denoting power to restrain; command is
       positive, implying a right to enforce obedience;
       directions are commands containing instructions how to
       act. Order conveys more prominently the idea of
       authority than the word direction. A shipmaster has
       the command of his vessel; he gives orders or
       directions to the seamen as to the mode of sailing it;
       and exercises a due control over the passengers.