directive

Etymology

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

adj

1. That which directs; serving to direct, indicate, or guide.
   A directive management style is stronger among owners with 'lifestyle' as a business objective than among those with business/economic objectives. 2002, Colin Gray, Enterprise and Culture, page 54
2. (grammar) Relating to the directive case.

noun

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