digression

plural digressions · alternative degression · alternative disgression

1. countableuncountableAn aside, an act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing.

   The lectures included lengthy digressions on topics ranging from the professor's dog to the meaning of life.

   1 more example

   History tells us stodgy, cautious stuff, cardigan-football is the way to go here. The 1966 World Cup kicked off with 0-0 draw against Uruguay so tedious the Guardian match report contains a whimsical digression on the writer’s urge to drift off to sleep in the second half.

   2022 November 21, Barney Ronay, “Iran’s brave and powerful gesture is a small wonder from a World Cup of woe”, in The Guardian

2. countableuncountablegenerally uncountableThe act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing, (rhetoric) particularly for rhetorical effect.

   make digression... by way of digression...

   Synonyms: digressio, ecbole

3. countableobsoleteuncountableA deviancy, a sin or error, an act of straying from the path of righteousness or a general rule.

   Nature... More stronger hadde her operacyon Than she hath nowe in her dygressyon.

   1517, Stephen Hawes, Pastime of Pleasure, i, ll. 12 ff

4. archaiccountableuncountableA deviation, an act of straying from a path.

   By this little digression into Gascony, the Duke had an opportunity... to re-inforce himself with some particular Servants of his.

   1670, Guillaume Girard, translated by Charles Cotton, History of the Life of the Duke of Espernon, Bk. i, Ch. iv, p. 144

5. countableuncountableastronomyAn elongation, a deflection or deviation from a mean position or expected path.

   This digression [of the Sun] is not equall, but neare the Æquinoxiall intersections, it is right and greater, near the Solstices, more oblique and lesser.

   1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, Bk. VI, Ch. iv, p. 288