v. Obs. or arch. [f. L. exorbitāt- ppl. stem of exorbitāre: see EXORBITANT.] intr. To deviate from the usual course; to stray.
1600. Abp. Abbot, Exp. Jonah, 116. We are ready to exorbitate.
1643. Prynne, Sov. Power Parl., I. (ed. 2), 5. The Law … ought to bridle him [the King] when he exorbitates from the Law.
1643. Hunton, Treat. Monarchy, I. iv. (1689), 24. If one exorbitate, the power of restraint and providing for the publick safety, should be in the rest.
1651. Smith, in Fuller’s Abel Rediv., 572. Such as least exorbitate [printed exoribitate] from the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of Rome.
1671. H. Stubbe, Reply, 31. When other Mens Flatteries did thus Exorbitate, [etc.].
b. Of heavenly bodies: To deviate from the usual orbit; to follow an erratic course.
1693. Bentley, Atheism, viii. 12. They would … sometimes have exorbitated beyond the distance of Saturn.
1747. Hervey, Medit. (1748), II. 231. [The heavenly Bodies] would exorbitate into wild Confusion.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., I. 45, note. To describe the earth, as in imminent danger of exorbitating, or falling into the sun.
Hence † Exorbitating ppl. a.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 487. No inference can prye, nor strange illation prooue, In your exorbitating [printed exorbitanting] braines, my period I did mooue.
1644. Hunton, Vind. Treat. Monarchy, vii. 55. Parliament [is] … bound to resist, and not suffer the destruction of liberties, by exorbitating Princes.
1659. H. More, Immort. Soul (1662), 175. It seemed rather the work of Art then of exorbitating Nature.
