v.
(past and past part. cost)
- 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 cost you.
(past and past part. costed)
estimate the price or cost of.
n.
the amount that something costs.
▸the effort or loss necessary to achieve something.
▸
(costs)
legal expenses, especially those allowed in favour of the winning party or against the losing party in a suit.
Phrase
- at all costs
(or at any cost)
regardless of the price or the effort needed. - at cost
at cost price. - cost someone dear
(or dearly)
involve someone in a serious loss or a heavy penalty. - to someone's cost
with loss or disadvantage to someone.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. coust (n.), couster (v.), based on L. constare ‘stand firm, stand at a price’.