Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-PENSE, n. [expens'; L. expensum.]

1. A laying out or expending; the disbursing of money, or the employment and consumption, as of time or labor. Great enterprises are accomplished only by a great expense of money, time and labor.
2. Money expended; cost; charge; that which is disbursed in payment or in charity. A prudent man limits his expenses by his income. The expenses of war are rarely or never reimbursed by the acquisition either of goods or territory.
3. That which is used, employed, laid out or consumed; as, the expense of time or labor.