indirect

(adjective)

adjective

1. having intervening factors or persons or influences

- reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light

- indirect evidence

- an indirect cause

Similar word(s): mediate

2. not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination

- sometimes taking an indirect path saves time

- you must take an indirect course in sailing

Similar word(s): askance, askant, asquint, sidelong, squint, squinty, circuitous, devious, roundabout, diversionary, meandering, rambling, wandering, winding, crooked

3. descended from a common ancestor but through different lines

- an indirect descendant of the Stuarts

Similar word(s): related, collateral

4. extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action

- making indirect but legitimate inquiries

- an indirect insult

- doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind

Similar word(s): allusive, backhanded, circuitous, roundabout, ambagious, circumlocutious, circumlocutory, periphrastic, devious, oblique, digressive, discursive, excursive, rambling, hearsay, mealymouthed, tortuous

5. not as a direct effect or consequence

- indirect benefits

- an indirect advantage

Similar word(s): secondary