digression

noun

Etymology: From Old French digressiun or disgressiun, from Latin dīgressiōnem, from dīgressus + -iō (suffix forming abstract nouns from verbs), the past passive participle of dīgredior (“to step away, to digress”), from dis- + gradior (“to step, walk, go”).

1. An 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.”

   “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.”

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

   “make digression... by way of digression...”

3. A 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.”

4. A 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.”

5. An 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.”