I. ˈkȯst noun
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price
b. : the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
2. : loss or penalty incurred especially in gaining something
3. plural : expenses incurred in litigation ; especially : those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
• cost·less -ləs adjective
• cost·less·ly adverb
•
- at all costs
- at cost
II. verb
( cost ; cost·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French custer, couster, from Latin constare to stand firm, cost — more at constant
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to require expenditure or payment
the best goods cost more
2. : to require effort, suffering, or loss
transitive verb
1. : to have a price of
2. : to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something
frequent absences cost him his job
3. past cost·ed : to estimate or set the cost of — often used with out