[syn: sidetrack, depart, digress, straggle]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Digress \Di*gress"\, n.
Digression. [Obs.] --Fuller.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Digress \Di*gress"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Digressed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Digressing.] [L. digressus, p. p. of digredi to go
apart, to deviate; di- = dis- + gradi to step, walk. See
Grade.]
1. To step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially,
to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or
course of argument, in writing or speaking.
[1913 Webster]
Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude.
--Holland.
[1913 Webster]
In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room
to digress into a particular definition as often as
a man varies the signification of any term. --Locke.
[1913 Webster]
2. To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to
offend. [R.]
[1913 Webster]
Thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot on thy digressing son. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
digress
v 1: lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject
of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or
speaking; "She always digresses when telling a story"; "her
mind wanders"; "Don't digress when you give a lecture"
[syn: digress, stray, divagate, wander]
2: wander from a direct or straight course [syn: sidetrack,
depart, digress, straggle]