Indirect discourse — Indirect In di*rect , a. [Pref. in not + direct: cf. F. indirect.] [1913 Webster] 1. Not direct; not straight or rectilinear; deviating from a direct line or course; circuitous; as, an indirect road. [1913 Webster] 2. Not tending to an aim,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
indirect discourse — discourse consisting not of an exact quotation of a speaker s words but of a version transformed from them for grammatical inclusion in a larger sentence. He said he was hungry is an example of indirect discourse. Cf. direct discourse. * * * … Universalium
indirect discourse — n [U] AmE technical ↑indirect speech … Dictionary of contemporary English
indirect discourse — noun uncount LINGUISTICS the words you use to report what someone else has said, for example She said that we must leave. : REPORTED SPEECH … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
indirect discourse — n. statement of what a person said, without quoting the exact words (Ex.: She said that she could not go.) … English World dictionary
indirect discourse — N UNCOUNT Indirect discourse is the same as indirect speech. [AM] … English dictionary
indirect discourse — noun (U) AmE technical indirect speech … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
indirect discourse — UK / US noun [uncountable] linguistics mainly American indirect speech … English dictionary
indirect discourse — in′direct dis′course n. gram. indirect speech … From formal English to slang
Indirect — In di*rect , a. [Pref. in not + direct: cf. F. indirect.] [1913 Webster] 1. Not direct; not straight or rectilinear; deviating from a direct line or course; circuitous; as, an indirect road. [1913 Webster] 2. Not tending to an aim, purpose, or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
