excursus

/eks'kə:səs/

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The word "excursus" is a noun that means a section of writing or speech that goes off-topic or departs from the main subject being discussed. It’s often used in academic or formal writing when an author wants to provide additional information or context that is related but not central to the main argument.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "excursus" when you want to describe a digression or an additional commentary that isn’t the main focus.
• It is often seen in essays, research papers, or lectures.

Example:

• In her book about climate change, the author included an excursus on the history of environmental movements, which provided useful background information but was not the main focus of her argument.

Advanced Usage:

• In scholarly writing, an excursus can be a deliberate choice to provide deeper insight into a related topic without disrupting the main flow of the text.

Word Variants:

• Excursive (adjective): Pertaining to or characterized by digression; for example, "The author's excursive style made the book both informative and enjoyable."

Different Meaning:

• While "excursus" is primarily used in the context of writing or discussion, it can also imply a broader exploration of a topic in various fields, such as history or philosophy.

Synonyms:

• Digression
• Aside
• Diversion
• Tangent

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly linked to "excursus," but you might use expressions like "go off on a tangent" to convey a similar idea of deviating from the main topic.

Academic

Noun

1. a message that departs from the main subject

Synonyms

• digression
• aside
• divagation
• parenthesis