From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
exorbitant
adj : greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation;
"exorbitant rent"; "extortionate prices"; "spends an
outrageous amount on entertainment"; "usorious interest
rate"; "unconscionable spending" [syn: extortionate,
outrageous, steep, unconscionable, usurious]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Exorbitant \Ex*or"bi*tant\, a. [L. exorbitans, -antis, p. pr. of
exorbitare to go out of the track; ex out + orbita track: cf.
F. exorbitant. See Orbit.]
1. Departing from an orbit or usual track; hence, deviating
from the usual or due course; going beyond the appointed
rules or established limits of right or propriety;
excessive; extravagant; enormous; inordinate; as,
exorbitant appetites and passions; exorbitant charges,
demands, or claims.
[1913 Webster]
Foul exorbitant desires. --Milton.
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2. Not comprehended in a settled rule or method; anomalous.
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The Jews . . . [were] inured with causes exorbitant,
and such as their laws had not provided for.
--Hooker.
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