There are six main etymologies given by the ancient lexicographers for this word. As most competing etymologies, this one implies a compound with ἔξω as its first element. The second element here may be either ἐάω "to let", which implies that the stranger / host is somehow free from social and family bonds (ἐξεάω is attested only in Late Greek, although not in the passive, and in that case it is a present participle) or ἵημι, which implies that the stranger / host is sent forth (ἐξίημι is very well attested, but the passive perfect stem -εωμαι is poorly attested and in fact never with ἐξ-; this is the solution adopted by the editor)