director English · revision 2565

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1477|origins=la dīrigere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /dɪˈrek.tə/, /daɪˈrek.tə/, US /dɪˈrek.tɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|directour]] and French [[m|fr|directeur]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966) from [[la-lat|dīrēctor]],^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|dīrēctus]], past participle of [[m|la|dīrigere|t=to set straight, arrange, direct]],^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|dis-|t=apart]] and [[m|la|regere|t=to guide, keep straight]].^(Etymonline) It is the agent noun of [[direct]].^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A person or thing that directs or guides: 1477,^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) or the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A member of the board that manages the affairs of a company is from 1632^(OED 1989) or the 1630s.^(Etymonline) A spiritual director in the church is from 1669,^(OED 1989) and a member of the French Directory of 1795–99 from 1798.^(OED 1989) One who directs a film or play is from 1911, originally American.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1477 – a guide, ruler.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1632 – a company director.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1669 – a spiritual director.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1798 – a member of the French Directory.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1911 – a film or theatre director.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who supervises, controls or manages.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A member of a [[board]] chosen to govern a company or institution.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A person who supervises the creative side of a play or film and instructs the actors and crew.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The [[conductor]] of an orchestra or choir.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[directorship]]

+ * [[directorate]]

+ * [[directress]]

+ * [[art director]]

+ * [[director general]]

+ * [[director of photography]]

+ * [[funeral director]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[direct]]

+ * [[directory]]

+ * [[directive]]

+ * [[dress]]

+ * [[regent]]

+ * [[rector]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}