noun
excursus
Excursus (noun) means a detailed discussion of one particular point, set apart from the main text of a book.
noun
1
A detailed discussion of one particular point, set apart from the main text of a book.
2
A digression within a story, used to explore a particular topic.
"The authors devote a fascinating excursus to the Western imagination’s preoccupation with serpents—from Eden to esoterica—and how this primed the ground for Kuṇḍalinī’s reception."
— Massimo Introvigne, “The Serpent’s Tale (2025)
"Here is what us scholars call an excursus. If you are an honest man the following page or two can be of no possible interest to you."
— Kyril Bonfiglioli, After You with the Pistol (1979)
"Part III (Chapters 12 to 16) includes an excursus which leads us to the use of Esperanto outside the community of its speakers."
— Sabine Fiedler, On the structure of this book (2022)
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Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin excursus (“excursion”). It is a doublet of excurse.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of excursus?
"excursus" (noun) means a detailed discussion of one particular point, set apart from the main text of a book.
What is another word for excursus?
Other words for "excursus" include parenthesis, aside, digression, divagation.
What are the different meanings of excursus?
"excursus" has 2 main meanings: 1. A detailed discussion of one particular point, set apart from the main text of a book; 2. A digression within a story, used to explore a particular topic.
