parabasis

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈrabəsɪs/

noun (plural parabases /-siːz/)

  • (in ancient Greek comedy) a direct address to the audience, sung or chanted by the chorus on behalf of the author.
  • a digression in a fictional work in which the author addresses the reader.

Origin:

early 19th century: from Greek, from parabainein 'go aside'