exorbitant

Pronunciation key ( ig-zôr′bə-tənt )

ex•or•bi•tant

adj.

[ME. aberrant < OFr. < L. exorbitans -antis, ppr. of exorbitare to go out of the track, deviate, to go astray, < ex- out + orbita, a track, orbit, ring].

1. Going beyond normal bounds or limits; what is reasonable, justifiable, appropriate, usual, proper. Exceeding bounds of custom, propriety or reason especially in amount or extent.
2. Excessive, extravagant, immoderate: said of charges, prices, demands and so forth.
3. Law. Beyond the realm of law, illegal. Exceeding the established limits of right or propriety.

Syn. Excessive. Extravagant. Immoderate. Inordinate. Unreasonable. Unconscionable.

Ant. Fair.

References

The American College Dictionary (Random House) ©1949

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

Webster's Improved Dictionary and Everyday Encyclopedia ©1956

Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, Comprehensive International Edition ©1976

The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition ©1985

Further Reading

Exorbitance

Exorbitancy

Exorbitantly