direct vs target

direct is not a noun while target is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
direct	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
target	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, target is a hyponym of direct; that is, target is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than direct:

direct: point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
target: intend (something) to move towards a certain goal

Other hyponyms of direct include aim, direct, place, point, draw a bead on, hold, turn, swing, charge, level, point, level, sight.

As verbs, direct and target are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of direct include aim, place, point.

direct (noun)	target (noun)
	sports equipment consisting of an object set up for a marksman or archer to aim at
	the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
	a reference point to shoot at
	the location of the target that is to be hit
	a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

direct (adjective)	target (adjective)
direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short
(of a current) flowing in one direction only
straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action
similar in nature or effect or relation to another quantity
in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
moving from west to east on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in the same direction as the Earth
lacking compromising or mitigating elements
in precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker
having no intervening persons, agents, conditions
being an immediate result or consequence

direct (verb)	target (verb)
plan and direct (a complex undertaking)	intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public
command with authority
give directions to; point somebody into a certain direction
put an address on (an envelope)
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
guide the actors in (plays and films)
lead, as in the performance of a composition
take somebody somewhere
cause to go somewhere
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
govern or manage

direct (adverb)	target (adverb)
without deviation