Standard Lemma guide

excursus

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ɛkˈskɝsəs/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɛkˈskɜːsəs/
  • rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)səs

1

noun

Meaning 1

A fuller treatment (in a separate section) of a particular part of the text of a book, especially a classic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A narrative digression, especially to discuss a particular issue.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a message that departs from the main subject

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: digression, aside, divagation, parenthesis

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: message, content, subject matter, substance

History

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin excursus (“excursion”). Doublet of excurse.