digression
a departure from the main point
Roots
- dis- / dif-: apart, away, not, reversal, or disruption
- gress / grad: step, walk, go, or move
Other words with the gress / grad root
- digress: to stray from the main point
- progress: forward movement or improvement
- regress: to move backward or return to an earlier state
- transgress: to cross a rule or boundary
- transgression: an act of crossing a rule or boundary
A digression is a side-step in speech or writing.
The essay's funny digression cost it a clear argument.