Cost /(kŏst; 115)/

Cost

n.
  1. A rib; a side; a region or coast. [Obs.]
    Betwixt the costs of a ship.
  2. See Cottise. (Her.)

Cost

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Cost; p. pr. & vb. n. Costing

  1. To require to be given, expended, or laid out therefor, as in barter, purchase, acquisition, etc.; to cause the cost, expenditure, relinquishment, or loss of; as, the ticket cost a dollar; the effort cost his life.
    A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats.
    Though it cost me ten nights' watchings.
  2. To require to be borne or suffered; to cause.
    To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.

Phrases & Compounds
To cost dear
to require or occasion a large outlay of money, or much labor, self-denial, suffering, etc.

Cost

n.
  1. The amount paid, charged, or engaged to be paid, for anything bought or taken in barter; charge; expense; hence, whatever, as labor, self-denial, suffering, etc., is requisite to secure benefit.
    One day shall crown the alliance on 't so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost.
    At less cost of life than is often expended in a skirmish, [Charles V.] saved Europe from invasion.
  2. Loss of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering.
    I know thy trains, Though dearly to my cost, thy gins and toils.
  3. Expenses incurred in litigation. (Law)

Phrases & Compounds
Bill of costs
See under Bill.
Cost free
without outlay or expense.