frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

or into. dabble in, play at; skim, scan: I haven't had time to
read it, but I dipped into it here and there.
--n. 4 swim, plunge; immersion; Brit bathe: We are going for a
dip in the pool before dinner. 5 lowering, sinking, depression,
drop, slump, decline: This dip in the price of oil means
nothing.
diplomacy n. 1 tact, tactfulness, adroitness, discretion: She was able
to get rid of that rude boor with her customary diplomacy. 2
statecraft, statesmanship, negotiation; intrigue,
Machiavellianism, machination, manoeuvring or maneuvering:
Cardinal Richelieu is considered the founder of modern
diplomacy.
diplomatic
adj. tactful, discreet, prudent, wise, sensitive, politic,
courteous, polite, discerning, perceptive, perspicacious,
thoughtful: How diplomatic it was of you to have invited
Frances's husband!
direct v. 1 manage, handle, run, administer, govern, regulate,
control, operate, superintend, supervise, command, head up,
rule; Colloq call the shots: She directs the company with an
iron hand. 2 guide, lead, conduct, pilot, steer, show or point
(the way), be at the helm; advise, counsel, instruct,
mastermind; usher, escort: He has directed the company for 40
years, through good times and bad. Can you direct me to the post
office? 3 rule, command, order, require, bid, tell, instruct,
charge, dictate, enjoin; appoint, ordain: He directed that the
attack be launched at dawn. 4 aim, focus, level, point, train;
turn: That bullet was directed at my heart. Direct your
attention to the front of the room. 5 send, address, post, mail:
Please direct the letter to my home.
--adj. 6 straight, unswerving, shortest, undeviating, through:
We turned off the direct road to take in the view. 7
uninterrupted, unreflected, unrefracted, without interference,
unobstructed: She cannot remain in direct sunlight for very
long. 8 unbroken, lineal: He claims to be a direct descendant
of Oliver Cromwell's. 9 straightforward, unmitigated, outright,
matter-of-fact, categorical, plain, clear, unambiguous,
unmistakable, to the point, without or with no beating about the