Exorbitance

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtəns/

Definitions

• The quality or state of being exorbitant; excessive or unreasonable in amount, cost, or degree.
• A condition of being outside the normal bounds, especially with respect to price, value, or expectation.

Usage Examples

• The exorbitance of the fees charged for the service led to public outrage.
• She was shocked by the exorbitance of the ticket prices for the concert.

Etymology

From Latin "exorbitare" meaning "to deviate from the usual course," from "ex-" meaning "out" and "orbita" meaning "course, track." The term developed in English in the 17th century to describe an excess beyond what is reasonable.

Synonyms

• Excessiveness
• Overabundance
• Immoderation
• Overpricing
• Extravagance

Antonyms

• Moderation
• Reasonableness
• Restraint
• Economy

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In the UK, the pronunciation /ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtəns/ is used most frequently.
• In North America, the pronunciation might be slightly more enunciated: /ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtəns/.

Historical Usage

The word "exorbitance" emerged in English in the 17th century, directly borrowing from the Latin "exorbitans," meaning "deviating from the usual course." It originally referred to an excessive deviation from a standard, and over time, it became more commonly used to describe unreasonable excess in price, behavior, or demands.

Cultural Nuances

In many societies, exorbitance is often associated with luxury, corruption, or inequality. In literature, characters who display exorbitance are often portrayed as excessive or out of touch with the common good. The concept of exorbitance frequently appears in discussions of consumerism, wealth disparity, and inflation, particularly in contexts involving the cost of living and political criticism.

More Information

Exorbitance refers to the state of being excessive or beyond what is reasonable, often used in contexts like pricing, behavior, or expectations. It is frequently applied in economic and social discussions where an imbalance exists between demand and supply, or between individual desires and societal norms. While exorbitance can refer to inflated prices or extravagant actions, it can also indicate the negative consequences of such imbalances, like public discontent or financial crises. Understanding the implications of exorbitance can aid in addressing issues related to fairness, equity, and regulation in society.