Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
DIRECTIVE
I. adjective
Date: 15th century
serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence, serving to point direction, of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client,
II. noun
Date: 1902
something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action or goal