Crossword clues for excursus
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Excursus \Ex*cur"sus\, n. [L., fr. excurrere, excursum. See Excurrent.] A dissertation or digression appended to a work, and containing a more extended exposition of some important point or topic.
Wiktionary
n. 1 A fuller treatment (in a separate section) of a particular part of the text of a book, especially a classic. 2 A narrative digression, especially to discuss a particular issue.
WordNet
n. a message that departs from the main subject [syn: digression, aside, divagation, parenthesis]
Wikipedia
An excursus (from Latin excurrere, "to run out of") is a short episode or anecdote in a work of literature. Often excursuses have nothing to do with the matter being discussed by the work, and are used to lighten the atmosphere in a tragic story, a similar function to that of satyr plays in Greek theatre. Sometimes they are used to provide backstory to the matter being discussed at hand, as in Pseudo-Apollodorus' Bibliotheke. Furthermore, an excursus is often applied to a piece of academic writing to provide digressive information, which does not contribute directly to the line of argument, but can still be linked with the overall topic of the text.
Usage examples of "excursus".
I’d read so much of both to learn my Latin, and their endless excursuses had so delighted me.
I'd read so much of both to learn my Latin, and their endless excursuses had so delighted me.