Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Digress
Di-gress′
,Verb.
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
This deadly blot on thy
digressing
son. Shakespeare
Di-gress′
,Noun.
Digression.
[Obs.]
Fuller.
Webster 1828 Edition
Digress
DIGRESS
,Verb.
I.
1.
Literally, to step or go from the way or road; hence, to depart or wander from the main subject, design or tenor of a discourse, argument or narration; used only of speaking or writing.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.
2.
To go out of the right way or common track; to deviate; in a literal sense. [Not now in use.]