Hypertext Webster Gateway: "digress"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Digress \Di*gress"\, n.
Digression. [Obs.] --Fuller.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
digress
v 1: lose clarity or turn aside esp. 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: {stray}, {divagate}, {wander}]
2: wander from a direct or straight course [syn: {stray}, {sidetrack},
{depart}, {straggle}]
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