Dipteryn

( Bot. ) A genus of plants, order Fabacea. The seeds of D. odorata, a native of Guiana, have a very powerful and agreeable odor, which is due to the presence of a volatile oil containing coumarin. They are used for scenting snuff, and in perfumery, and are commonty called Tonquin (or Tonka ) beans. -n. ( Mus .) A character (W) placed at the end of a staff to indicate to the performer the situation of the first note on the succeeding staff, and which is for this purpose always situated on that line or space in its own staff which corresponds with the line or space occupied by the note which it is intended to announce in the other. Direct'er, n. One who directs or prescribes; a director. Direction, ( di -rek's hun,) n. [Fr., from Lat. directio .] Act of directing, aim at a certain point; a pointing toward, in a straight line or course; the line in which a body moves by impulse; course; a straight line or course; The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia as, a northerly direction . - Act of guiding; guidance; management; superintendence; administration; adjustment; instruction in what manner to proceed, or what course to take; as, the direction of the foreign policy of a country. - Prescription; order; command; authoritative imposition of instructions as to a specified course; as, to direct an agent. - Superscription or addre of a letter, parcel, package, .; as, goods sent to a given direction. - A board of directors, or body of persons intrusted with the control and management of any public affairs or busine -matters; as, to submit a proposal to the direction. Directive, a . [L. Lat. directivus .] Having the power of direction; informing; instructing; showing the way. "Nor visited by one directive ray." - Thomson. Directly, adv . In a straight line or course; rectilineally; not in a winding course or manner; without circuitousne or deviation. - Without delay; soon; straightway; immediately; as, to go directly . -Quickly; promptly; instantly, immediately; as, directly they appeared.Openly; expre ly; without circumlocution or ambiguity; without a train of inferences; absolutely. "Infidels deny directly the very principles of Christianity." Hooker . Direct'ne , n . State or quality of being direct; straightne ; a straight course; nearne of way; as, the directne of a journey, directne of speech. Director, (di- rek'ter ,) n. [Lat.; Fr. direct eur .] One who directs, governs, superintends, or manages; one who prescribes to others by virtue of authority; an instructor; a counsellor; as, a spiritual director . "In all affairs thou sole director ." - Swift . -One of a number of persons chosen by a plurality of votes from among the body of proprietors to conduct the affairs of some joint-stock undertaking, as a bank, railroad, insurance company, and the like. -That which directs or controls by influence; any instrument, rule, or ordinance that directs. ( Surg .) An instrument, generally made of silver, and resembling a grooved probe. Its use is to direct the knife, and protect the parts underneath from its edge or point. Directorate, n. [Fr. director at .] Office or body of directors.