exorbitant

the word exorbitant originates from the late latin 'exorbitant-', the present participle of 'exorbitare', meaning 'to deviate from the track'. this verb is composed of 'ex-' (out of) and 'orbita' (a wheel-track or rut). the literal sense was to wander off the beaten path or the proper course. this concrete image evolved metaphorically in legal and financial contexts to describe actions or, more specifically, demands that stray beyond accepted limits or norms. by the late 16th century, its meaning had crystallized in english to primarily describe prices or costs that are excessively and unreasonably high, having gone far outside the bounds of what is considered normal or just.

Structure: ex (out) + orbit (path, track) + ant (adjective suffix) ex: latin origin, meaning "out of, away from." a prefix indicating departure or removal. orbit: latin origin, from "orbita" meaning a track, rut, or course. in this context, it refers to a prescribed path or boundary. ant: latin origin, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "performing (a specified action)" or "being (in a specified condition)."