Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COST, n. [caust; G. D. Sw. and Dan. kost; Ir. cosdas; W. cost, coast and cost; Fr. coût; Arm. coust. See the verb.]

1. The price, value or equivalent of a thing purchased; the amount in value paid, charged or engaged to be paid for any thing bought or taken in barter. The word is equally applicable to the price in money or commodities; as, the cost of a suit of clothes; the cost of a house or farm.
2. Expense; amount in value expended or to be expended; charge; that which is given or to be given for another thing. I will not offer burnt offering without cost. – 1 Chron. xxi. Have we eaten at all at the king's cost. – 2 Sam. xix. The cost of maintaining armies is immense, and often ruinous. – Anon.
3. In law, the sum fixed by law or allowed by the court for charges of a suit awarded against the party losing, in favor of the party prevailing, &c. The jury find that the plaintif recover of the defendant ten dollars with costs of suit or with his cost.
4. Loss or expense of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering. The vicious man indulges his propensities at a great cost.
5. Sumptuousness; great expense. – Shak.