it kinda does now, but it's still bad.
direct damage = deals x damage, or deals x damage every x seconds
dot = deals x damage over x seconds

some abilities say they do damage every x seconds but still count as dot, and some count as direct damage.

even if they just renamed the words themselves, abilities would still work how they want until someone would finally take care about the description.

so the best way to find out is still to go test them yourself