Middle English Dictionary Entry
dīgressiǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dīgressiǒun n. Also disgression, disgrecioun, (error) discrecioun. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Digression from the main subject matter; also, an instance of this; maken (a) ~, to digress.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.88 : I wil no longer make digressioun, Nor in fables no more as now soiourne.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2466 : Now most I make a digressioun.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.143 : It were here a long disgression [vrr. discrecioun, disgrecioun, digressioun] Fro my matere.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)972 : Prolyxyte to escheu, I wil lete passe al maner digressyoun.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)53/22 : Sumtyme in his prechyng wold he make a grete digression fro þe mater þat he spak of.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)142 : This serche..hath be a digression ffrom the mater in wich we labour.