indirection

American  

[in-duh-rek-shuhn, -dahy-] / ˌɪn dəˈrɛk ʃən, -daɪ- /

noun

1. indirect action or procedure.

2. a roundabout course or method.

3. a lack of direction or goal; aimlessness.

   His efforts were marked by indirection and indecisiveness.

4. deceitful or dishonest dealing.

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indirection British  

/ ˌɪndɪˈrɛkʃən /

noun

1. indirect procedure, courses, or methods

2. lack of direction or purpose; aimlessness

3. indirect dealing; deceit

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Etymology

Origin of indirection

1585–95; indirect + -ion, modeled on direction

Example Sentences

The indirection is not purposeless; Edelman is building the service roads to his main argument.

From New York Times

“The same hallmarks we listen for in Rorem’s music will be found in his essays a well: indirection, instinctive grace, intellectual aplomb, a lyrical line.”

From Seattle Times

The effect of these lines, which reach back into the past while projecting far into the future, is that of a rebus, with the stunning phrase “the final whereabouts” offering one more breath of indirection.

From Los Angeles Times

There are two levels of indirection from the core business of Robinhood.

From The Verge

And while the narrative moves mostly in a straight line, it also doubles back and encounters obstacles, proceeding into the past by means of association, indirection and the overcoming of repressed knowledge.

From New York Times