| Part of Speech | Definition | |
| Expression | 1. (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.[Websters]. | |
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Common Expressions: DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL
| Expressions | Definition | ||
| 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. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary. | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
