Skip to main content
excursus

excursus

1 9.9
A part in a book or speech that leaves the main topic to talk about a related subject
  • noun
  • /ɛkˈsɜːr.səs/
  • Literature
translation icon : excursus
  • In his book, the author includes an excursus discussing the cultural impacts of technology as an appendix.
  • an aesthetic excursus

After that huge excursus, we get back to, as I said, I met Doctor Antisi.

Examples

  • The essay ends with an excursus on equivalent expressions in the other three Ibero-Romance languages.

    Academic text (1997)
  • What I intend to do is to accompany you on a brief textual excursus through Lincoln's Lyceum Address, a speech he gave in 1838, at the age of twenty-nine, on the topic of the perpetuation of our political institutions.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The second reason for this opening excursus on the philosophy of history forms the central argument of this paper.

    Academic text (2005)
  • There are two reasons for offering this thumbnail excursus on the history of the philosophy of history.

    Academic text (2005)
  • However, in the context of Calderon's time, this little excursus acquires a much more specific meaning.

    Academic text (1990)
  • A brief excursus recalls two of these classic inventions.

    Academic text (2012)
  • A paradigmatic example appears in the second theoretical excursus they provide in Multitude, a section devoted to responding to critics of Empire.

    Academic text (2016)
  • With the introduction of the excursus on the Odyssey, the argument of the Dialectic of Enlightenment moved toward a closure of sorts.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Since many of the authors and critics of the works I will be discussing frequently invoke ideological reasons to explain their chosen narrative practice, a short excursus on the politics of narrative person will also be set forth.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I offer a short etymological excursus, mingling, with respect for Socrates, the playful and the serious, and not without due reverence for the gods' high friendship of play.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

aside
vsexcursus
  • Literature
7 5.5

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

is a longer formal written departure not a brief spoken comment
digression
vsexcursus
6 7.0

A short break from the main subject when talking or writing

is a longer written departure often added as an appendix or note
parenthesis
vsexcursus
1 5.3

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

is a longer external discussion included as an appendix
expatiation
vsexcursus
  • Formal
9.9

Talking or writing for a long time with many details

is a departure in a text that specifically serves as an appended discussion
divagation
vsexcursus
  • Archaic
9.9

A short move away from the main topic in speech or writing

is a focused, intentional written departure rather than aimless wandering

Antonyms

1 3.4

The most important idea in a discussion or text

How Detailed

treatise
  • Formal
19 8.4
excursus
  • Literature
1 9.9
appendix
23 4.9
aside
  • Literature
7 5.5

Surface Forms

excursus singular
excursuses plural

Etymology

Excursus comes from Latin parts ex- ('out') and cursus ('run' or 'course'), so it literally means a 'running out' from the main path. A helpful way to remember it is to think of an excursion — a short trip away — because an excursus is a short side discussion that steps away from the main topic.