directive

Meanings

Adjective

• that directs; serving to direct, indicate, or guide
• relating to the directive case

Noun

• An instruction or guideline that indicates how to perform an action or reach a goal.
• A construct in source code that indicates how it should be processed but is not necessarily part of the program to be run.
• An authoritative decision from an official body, which may or may not have binding force.
• A form of legislative act addressed to the member states. The directive binds the member state to reach certain objectives in their national legislation.
• The directive case.

Origin

• From Middle French directif. The noun senses are from French directive (feminine form of the adjective).