indirection

English

Etymology

From indirect +‎ -ion, modeled on direction.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪndəˈɹɛkʃən/, /ˈɪndɪˈɹɛkʃən/, /ˈɪndaɪˈɹɛkʃən/

Noun

indirection (countable and uncountable, plural indirections)

1. An indirect action or process.
2. A lack of direction; deviousness or aimlessness.
   • 1907 September, Jack London, “A Day’s Lodging”, in Love of Life and Other Stories, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., published December 1907, →OCLC, page 64:

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

3. (programming) Use of a variable or object through its address.