Cost

Cost Cost, n. [OF. cost, F. co[^u]t. See {Cost}, v. t. ] 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. [1913 Webster]

One day shall crown the alliance on 't so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

At less cost of life than is often expended in a skirmish, [Charles V.] saved Europe from invasion. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

2. Loss of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering. [1913 Webster]

I know thy trains, Though dearly to my cost, thy gins and toils. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. pl. (Law) Expenses incurred in litigation. [1913 Webster]

Note: Costs in actions or suits are either between attorney and client, being what are payable in every case to the attorney or counsel by his client whether he ultimately succeed or not, or between party and party, being those which the law gives, or the court in its discretion decrees, to the prevailing, against the losing, party. [1913 Webster]

{Bill of costs}. See under {Bill}.

{Cost free}, without outlay or expense. ``Her duties being to talk French, and her privileges to live cost free and to gather scraps of knowledge.'' --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] ||