digression

American  

[dih-gresh-uhn, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛʃ ən, daɪ- /

noun

1. the act of digressing.

   Synonyms:

   divergence, deviation

2. a passage or section that deviates from the central theme in speech or writing.

   Synonyms:

   divergence, deviation

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Other Word Forms

• digressional adjective
• digressionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of digression

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dīgressiōn-, stem of dīgressiō “departure,” from dīgress(us) “departed” (past participle of dīgredī “to go off, depart”; digress ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

His digressions on the history of California and of his Golden State ancestors are the least engaging parts of the book.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, a brief digression, because I feel strongly about this.

From Salon

There are no needless digressions, and their architecture is as robust and tightly engineered as their characters are fully fleshed.

From Los Angeles Times

But the presentation and even the digressions make it all a story with layers, and atmosphere, and maybe even transcendent meaning about perception and justice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its deviations from the source material are digressions done with love.

From Salon

Related Words

• detour
• footnote