The word "exorbitance" is spelled with three syllables: /ɪɡˈzɔː.bɪ.təns/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a hard "g" and a stressed "a" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound and a "b" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, a "t" sound, and a stressed "əns" sound. The word means excessive or extreme behavior or action, especially in regards to money or prices.
Exorbitance is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being excessive or extravagant, especially in terms of cost, price, or demand. It denotes the quality of exceeding reasonable or justifiable limits, often characterized by extreme and unreasonable levels of pricing, extravagance, or demands.
When used in reference to costs or prices, exorbitance implies that the amount being charged is significantly higher than what is considered reasonable or fair for a particular product, service, or action. For instance, exorbitant prices may be associated with luxury goods, rare items, or exclusive services that are marketed and sold at exceedingly high rates.
Furthermore, exorbitance can also pertain to demands or expectations that are unreasonably high or excessive. This could be used to describe excessively demanding requests, immoderate requirements, or overbearing conditions imposed on someone or something.
The term exorbitance often carries a negative connotation, as it suggests an unjust or unfair disparity between the value or quality of the product or service and the price being charged or the demands being made. The excessive nature of exorbitance is seen as unreasonable, exploitative, and out of proportion with what would be considered acceptable or justified.
The word "exorbitance" originated from the Latin word "exorbitans", which is the present participle form of the verb "exorbitare". "Exorbitare" is a compound word derived from "ex-" (meaning "out of" or "beyond") and "orbita" (meaning "track" or "path"). Hence, the literal translation of "exorbitare" is "to go out of the track". Over time, the term "exorbitance" developed in English language to convey the sense of exceeding normal or reasonable limits, particularly in reference to excessive or extravagant behavior or demands.