The word "digressively" is spelled as /dɪˈɡrɛsɪvli/. The IPA phonetic transcription illustrates that the first syllable is pronounced as "di" with a short "i" sound, followed by a stressed "gres" with a short "e" sound. The final syllable "sively" is pronounced with a short "i" followed by a stressed "siv" with a long "i" sound and ending with "ly" pronounced as "lee". "Digressively" means to move away from the main topic of discussion or to wander off on a tangent while speaking or writing.
Digressively is an adverb that describes the manner of digressing or deviating from the main topic or line of thought in speech or writing. It denotes the act of straying or moving away from the central subject matter, usually resulting in a tangent or diversion from the original point under discussion.
When someone speaks or writes digressively, they wander off on unrelated or irrelevant subjects, often unintentionally. This tendency to digress may be sparked by distractions, lack of focus, or simply the speaker's habit of exploring various ideas and branching out into different directions. In a conversational context, a person may digressively jump from one anecdote to another, making it challenging for others to follow their train of thought.
In written form, digressiveness may manifest as lengthy tangents or asides, interrupting the flow of the overall piece. This can make the main argument or narrative harder to track and comprehend. While sometimes digressions can add depth or context to the topic at hand, excessive digressiveness can be seen as a lack of discipline or organization in communication.
Overall, the term "digressively" captures the tendency to veer off track or meander away from the primary subject matter, whether in speech or writing. It highlights the speaker or writer's inclination to depart from the intended path, often resulting in a disjointed or unfocused discourse.
The word "digressively" is derived from the verb "digress", which originates from the Latin word "digredi", meaning "to go aside" or "depart". The word "digress" entered the English language during the late 16th century, first used as a verb. The suffix "-ive" is added to the verb "digress" to form the adverb "digressively", indicating that something is done in a digressive manner or deviating from the main topic.