资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Directly \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.