Library / English Dictionary

INDIRECTLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not in a forthright manner

Example:

he answered very indirectly

Classified under:

Adverbs

Antonym:

directly (in a forthright manner; candidly or frankly)

Pertainym:

indirect (extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Finally, PPA indirectly stimulates beta-receptors producing tachycardia and a positive inotropic effect.

(Phenylpropanolamine, NCI Thesaurus)

This leads to a decrease in the cAMP-dependent kinase PKA, which relieves inhibition of Cdc25C and also indirectly promotes the activation of MAPK signaling.

(Oocyte Maturation Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Astrocytes (from star cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with end feet which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the blood brain barrier.

(Murine Astrocytes, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Some of the events downstream of IL-12 appear to include genes activated indirectly by STAT-4, such as genes activated by the transcription factor ERM.

(IL12 Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Immunomodulating agents can be preventive or therapeutic and can suppress or activate the immune system, either directly or indirectly.

(Immunomodulating agent, NCI Thesaurus)

The use of the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

(Biological response modifier therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

Due to the interaction between adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors, caffeine can also indirectly increase the levels of dopamine in the brain.

(Caffeine, NCI Thesaurus)

An exposure would profit me indirectly to a considerable extent.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Biological Extinction statement said: “All of our food comes directly or indirectly from higher plants, of which there are an estimated 425,000 species.

(Nearly Half the Planet's Species Could Be Wiped Out by the End of This Century, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Previous observations indirectly found possible signs of surface ice at the lunar south pole, but these could have been explained by other phenomena, such as unusually reflective lunar soil.

(Ice Confirmed at the Moon's Poles, NASA)