What does excursively mean?
Excursively refers to a manner of speaking or writing that involves wandering or digressing from a main topic. It describes a discursive or rambling style, often characterized by excursions or tangents. This word is useful for describing lectures, articles, or conversations that meander through various related or unrelated points. Excursively is often used in formal or academic contexts to convey a sense of wandering or indirectness. Understanding this word can help improve one's ability to analyze and describe complex communication. The term is closely related to concepts of digression and discursiveness.
adverbIn a wandering or digressing manner; in a way that involves or is characterized by excursions or digressions.
- In a manner characterized by excursions or digressions.
- In a discursive or rambling way.
"The professor lectured excursively on the topic, covering many related but tangential points."
"The writer's excursively written article made it difficult to discern the main point."
"The tour guide spoke excursively about the history of the city, providing many interesting side notes."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of excursively
The adverb excursively is derived from the Latin word 'excursus,' meaning 'a running out' or 'a digression.' This Latin term is itself derived from 'ex-' (meaning 'out') and 'currere' (meaning 'to run'). The word excursively has been used in English since the 15th century to describe a wandering or digressing manner of speaking or writing.
Usage notes
This word is often used in a somewhat formal or academic context to describe speech or writing that is characterized by digressions or excursions.