INDIRECTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does indirection mean? 

• INDIRECTION (noun)
  The noun INDIRECTION has 2 senses:

1. indirect procedure or action

2. deceitful action that is not straightforward

  Familiarity information: INDIRECTION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDIRECTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Indirect procedure or action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he tried to find out by indirection

Hypernyms ("indirection" is a kind of...):

procedure; process (a particular course of action intended to achieve a result)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Deceitful action that is not straightforward

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he could see through the indirections of diplomats

Hypernyms ("indirection" is a kind of...):

deceit; deception; dissembling; dissimulation (the act of deceiving)

 Context examples 

Incidentally, the sled went faster, and thus, by cunning indirection, did man increase his mastery over the beasts.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

But Messner did not believe. He remembered her facility in changing front. She had changed front now. It was exploitation by indirection.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

In your case, I fear, confession is exploitation by indirection, profit- making by ruse, self-aggrandizement at the expense of God.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)