directive

[dih-rek-tiv, dahy-] /dɪˈrɛk tɪv, daɪ-/
adjective
1.
serving to direct; directing:
a directive board.
2.
Psychology. pertaining to a type of psychotherapy in which the therapist actively offers advice and information rather than dealing only with information supplied by the patient.
noun
3.
an authoritative instruction or direction; specific order:
a new directive by the president on foreign aid.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English < Medieval Latin dīrēctīvus. See direct, -ive
Related forms
self-directive, adjective
Examples from the web for directives
  • But one hospital has made a special effort to help patients who lack written advance directives.
  • Yes, the directives seemed to come without rhyme or reason.
  • Almost every day brings word of policy directives, large and small, that are apparently driven by restrictionist impulses.
  • The attorney set up living trusts and health care directives for us.
  • On the other hand, this is one of those directives from on high that should be.
  • They then see the reality, as colleges ignore their own directives while maintaining that the system is essentially balanced.
  • But they didn't have legal directives and had to fight the health care system.
  • It will take the state enterprises a long time to respond to these directives, if indeed they ever do.
  • Local governments are well versed in frustrating central directives.
  • And governments take years to implement new directives.
British Dictionary definitions for directives

directive

/dɪˈrɛktɪv; daɪ-/
noun
1.
an instruction; order
adjective
2.
tending to direct; directing
3.
indicating direction
Word Origin and History for directives

directive

adj.

mid-15c., from Medieval Latin directivus, from past participle stem of Latin dirigere (see direct (v.)). From 1640s as a noun.