digression etymology

Etymology

The word "digression" comes from the Latin word "digressiō," which is derived from the verb "digredi," meaning "to step aside" or "to deviate."

Meaning

A digression is a temporary departure from the main subject of a discourse, writing, or other work. It is used to provide additional information or examples that may not be directly related to the main topic, but can enhance the understanding of it.

Origin

The use of digressions in literature can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman oratory. Orators often used digressions to engage their audience, add humor, or emphasize a particular point. In the Middle Ages, digressions were also used in religious sermons to illustrate moral lessons or to relate stories.

Usage

In modern writing, digressions are commonly used in:

  • Non-fiction works to provide context, background information, or personal anecdotes that help the reader understand the main topic better.
  • Fiction works to create suspense, provide foreshadowing, or develop the characters.
  • Academic writing to support an argument with additional evidence or to explore alternative viewpoints.

While digressions can be an effective tool to add interest and provide further insights, they should be used sparingly and only when they enhance the main topic rather than distracting from it.

digression relate terms

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  • spend

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  • splay

    Etymology English splay Middle English spleyen Old English splecgan Meaning To

  • sport

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  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • Spencer

    Etymology Old English spencer Meaning A short sleeveless jacket or waistcoat O

  • aggress

    Etymology The word aggress comes from the Latin verb aggredi which means to attack

  • aggression

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  • aggressive

    Etymology The word aggressive comes from the Latin word aggressus meaning an attac

  • centigrade

    Etymology Centi Latin for one hundred Grad Swedish for degree Meaning A unit

  • congress

    Etymology The word congress is derived from the Latin word congressus which means

  • degrade

    Etymology The word degrade comes from the late Latin degradare which means to step

  • degree

    Etymology The word degree comes from the Latin word gradus which means step or st

  • degression

    Etymology The word degression is derived from the Latin degressio which means a ste

  • digress

    Etymology The word digress comes from the Latin verb digredior which means to ste

  • digression

    Etymology The word digression comes from the Latin word digressiō which is derived

  • egress

    Etymology Latin egressus past participle of egredi meaning to go out Meaning

  • gradation

    Etymology The word gradation comes from the Latin word gradus meaning step or de

  • grade

    Etymology The word grade comes from the Latin word gradus which means step or de

  • gradual

    Etymology Latin gradualiter Late Latin gradus step aliter in a gradual ma

  • graduate

    Etymology Latin gradus step French gradué one who has taken a degree Meani

  • grallatorial

    Etymology Latin grallatōrius meaning walking on stilts Proto Indo European ghrel

  • gravigrade

    Etymology Gravigrade comes from the Latin words gravis heavy and gradus step Me

  • ingredient

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  • ingress

    Etymology The word ingress originates from the Latin word ingressus which means an

  • plantigrade

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  • progress

    Etymology Progress comes from the Latin word progressus which means advancement or

  • progression

    Etymology The word progression comes from the Latin word progressio which is derive

  • regress

    Etymology Latin regressus meaning step backward Old French regres meaning going

  • regression

    Etymology The word regression comes from the Latin word regressus which means a goi

  • retrograde

    Etymology Latin retro backward gradus step Retrograde first appeared in En

  • retrogress

    Etymology The word retrogress comes from the Latin word retrogredior which means t

  • tardigrade

    Etymology The word tardigrade comes from the Latin words tardus slow and gradus

  • transgress

    Etymology From Latin transgredi to go beyond transgress from trans across

  • transgression

    Etymology Latin transgressio a crossing over transgression transgressus having p

  • aside

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  • parenthesis

    Etymology and Meaning The word parenthesis comes from the Latin word parenthesis wh

  • excursion

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  • episode

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  • maunder

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  • substance

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  • journey

    Etymology and Meaning The word journey originates from the Old French word journee

  • content

    Etymology of content Latin continere to restrain hold together French conteni

  • diversion

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  • deflection

    Etymology From Middle English deflexioun from Latin dēflēxiō from dēflectō I b