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Glite Dictionary
divagation

divagation

9.9
A short move away from the main topic in speech or writing
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪvəˈɡeɪʃən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : divagación
  • His speech wandered through various topics, often leading to divagation from the main argument.

Examples

  • Who can measure humanity's divagation?

    Fiction book (1991)

  • And some divagations.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The author's divagation into unrelated subjects made the essay difficult to follow.

  • During the meeting, her frequent divagation from the agenda frustrated the participants.

Synonyms

deviation
vsdivagation
25 5.3

A difference from what is usual or expected

focuses specifically on wandering from a path or topic rather than any change
diversion
vsdivagation
13 5.2

A change that moves attention or action away from the main plan

covers both literal and figurative departures, including speech or writing
aside
vsdivagation
  • Literature
7 5.5

A short remark not part of the main conversation, often said to the audience

is more general and can refer to many types of departures
digression
vsdivagation
6 7.0

A short break from the main subject when talking or writing

can be longer or wander more widely than a brief departure
parenthesis
vsdivagation
1 5.3

A short remark added in speech or writing to give extra information

is a broader form of departure, not only an inserted explanation
excursus
vsdivagation
  • Literature
1 9.9

A part in a book or speech that leaves the main topic to talk about a related subject

is usually a shorter or less formal departure than an extended discussion

Antonyms

concentration
122 3.3

The ability to give all your attention to something

How Tangential

wandering
3.7
divagation
  • Archaic
9.9
tangent
  • Informal
17 6.1
digression
6 7.0
aside
  • Literature
7 5.5

Surface Forms

divagation singular
divagations plural

Morphology

divagation = divagate (transparent) = divagate + ion

A regular nominalization formed from the verb 'divagate' with the noun-forming suffix '-ion', so the noun denotes the act or instance of wandering/digressing.

Etymology

Divagation comes from Latin parts di- 'apart' and vagari 'to wander', and it shares the same root as words like vagabond and vagrant. So, a divagation is a wandering away from the main path or topic.