■ verb ( past and past participle ~ )
1》 require the payment of (a specified sum) in order to be bought or obtained.
↘cause or require the expenditure or loss of.
↘ informal be expensive for: it'll ~ you.
2》 ( past and past participle ~ed ) estimate the price or ~ of.
■ noun the amount that something ~s.
↘the effort or loss necessary to achieve something.
↘( ~s ) legal expenses, especially those allowed in favour of the winning party or against the losing party in a suit.
Phrases
at all ~s (or at any ~ ) regardless of the price or the effort needed.
at ~ at ~ price.
~ someone dear (or dearly ) involve someone in a serious loss or a heavy penalty.
to someone's ~ with loss or disadvantage to someone.
Origin
ME: from OFr. coust (n.), couster (v.), based on L. constare 'stand firm, stand at a price'.