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. Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude. Holland. 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.
2. To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to offend. [R.] Thy abundant goodness shall excuse This deadly blot on thy digressing son. Shak.
DIGRESS
Di*gress", n.
Defn: Digression. [Obs.] Fuller.
DIGRESSION
Di*gres"sion, n. Etym: [L. digressio: cf. F. digression.]
1. The act of digressing or deviating, esp. from the main subject of a discourse; hence, a part of a discourse deviating from its main design or subject. The digressions I can not excuse otherwise, than by the confidence that no man will read them. Sir W. Temple.
2. A turning aside from the right path; transgression; offense. [R.] Then my digression is so vile, so base, That it will live engraven in my face. Shak.
3. (Anat.)
Defn: The elongation, or angular distance from the sun; — said chiefly of the inferior planets. [R.]
DIGRESSIONAL
Di*gres"sion*al, a.