Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-TRAV'A-GANCE, or EX-TRAV'A-GAN-CY, n. [L. extra and vagans; vagor, to wander. See Vague.]

1. Literally, a wandering beyond a limit; an excursion or sally from the usual way, course or limit. Hammond.
2. In writing or discourse, a going beyond the limits of strict truth, or probability; as, extravagance of expression or description.
3. Excess of affection, passion or appetite; as, extravagance of love, anger, hatred, or hunger.
4. Excess in expenditures of property; the expending of money without necessity, or beyond what is reasonable or proper; dissipation. The income of three dukes was not enough to supply her extravagance. Arbuthnot.
5. In general, any excess or wandering from prescribed limits; irregularity; wildness; as, the extravagance of imagination; extravagance of claims or demands.