online medical dictionary | definition of digression

1. The act of digressing or deviating, especially. 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. "Then my digression is so vile, so base, That it will live engraven in my face." (Shak)

3. <anatomy> The elongation, or angular distance from the sun; said chiefly of the inferior planets.

Origin: L. Digressio: cf. F. Digression.

(01 Mar 1998)