excursive
/eks'kə:siv/
Definition
Adjective: 1. Tending to depart from the main point or subject; digressive: Describes speech, writing, or thought that moves away from the central topic to cover other, often loosely related, subjects. 2. Covering a wide range of subjects; rambling: Characterized by a wandering or indirect style that lacks a strict, linear focus.
Usage
The adjective "excursive" is used to describe a style of communication or thought that is not tightly focused. It often has a slightly formal or literary tone and can imply a lack of conciseness or discipline, though not necessarily in a harshly critical way. It modifies nouns related to expression, such as remarks, speech, writing, style, or mind.
Examples
- The professor's lectures were often excursive, filled with fascinating but tangential anecdotes.
- Her essay was criticized for being too excursive and failing to develop its core argument.
- He has an excursive mind, always making unexpected connections between disparate ideas.
- The travelogue's excursive narrative charmingly captures the feeling of a wandering journey.
Advanced Usage
- In a stylistic description: "The author's excursive prose mimics the meandering paths of the countryside he describes."
- As a comparative or superlative: "The second chapter is more excursive than the first." / "This is his most excursive work to date."
Variants and Related Words
- Discursively (adverb): In a manner that departs from the main point.
- He wrote discursively about his travels.
- Discursiveness (noun): The quality of being excursive or digressive.
- The discursiveness of the memoir is part of its charm.
Synonyms
- Digressive: Straying from the main topic.
- Rambling: Lengthy and confused or inconsequential.
- Discursive: Moving from topic to topic without clear order.
- Meandering: Following a winding course; not direct.
- Tangential: Only slightly connected; peripheral.
Antonyms
- Focused: Concentrated on a central point.
- Concise: Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.
- Succinct: Briefly and clearly expressed.
- Linear: Proceeding in a straight or logical line from one point to the next.
Adjective
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(of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
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amusingly digressive with satirical thrusts at women's fashions among other things
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a rambling discursive book
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his excursive remarks
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a rambling speech about this and that
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