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 ]

n. Digression. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The digressions I can not excuse otherwise, than by the confidence that no man will read them. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A turning aside from the right path; transgression; offense. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Then my digression is so vile, so base,
That it will live engraven in my face. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Anat.) The elongation, or angular distance from the sun; -- said chiefly of the inferior planets. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or having the character of, a digression; departing from the main purpose or subject. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. digressif. ] Departing from the main subject; partaking of the nature of digression. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By way of digression. [ 1913 Webster ]