'practically-directed' is a compound made from 'practically' + 'directed'. 'Practically' comes from 'practical' + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Practical' ultimately derives from Latin/Greek roots (see below). 'Directed' is the past participle of 'direct', from Latin 'dirigere'.

'practical' comes from Latin/Old French via Medieval English (Latin 'practicus' < Greek 'praktikos', from 'prassein' meaning 'to do'). 'Practically' formed by adding '-ly' to 'practical'. 'Direct' comes from Latin 'directus' (from 'dirigere' meaning 'to guide' or 'set straight'), and its past participle 'directed' follows regular English formation. The compound 'practically-directed' is a modern English compound combining these elements to describe orientation toward practice.

Individually, 'practically' originally meant 'in practice' or 'with respect to actual use', and 'directed' meant 'guided' or 'aimed'. Combined as 'practically-directed', the phrase has come to mean 'guided specifically by practical concerns' in contemporary usage.