Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COST, v.t. [pret. and pp. cost. G. and D. kosten; Dan. koster; Sw. kosta; Fr. coûter, for couster; Arm. cousta, coustein; W. costiaw; It. costare; Sp. costar; Port. custar; Ir. cosnam. The noun cost coincides in most of these languages with coast and L. costa, a rib, the exterior part. The primary sense of the verb is, to throw or send out, to cast, as we say, to lay out. Qu. the Ar. and Pers. قٌسْطَاسن kostasan, a balance, or pair of scales, from قَسَطَ kasta, to distribute. I call this a transitive verb. In the phrase, a hat costs six dollars, the sense is, it expends, lays out, or causes to be laid out six dollars.]

1. To require to be given or expended in barter or purchase; to be bought for; as, this book cost a dollar; the army and navy cost four million a year.
2. To require to be laid out, given, bestowed or employed; as, Johnson's Dictionary cost him seven years labor.
3. To require to be borne or suffered. Our sins cost us many pains. A sense of ingratitude to his Maker costs the penitent sinner many pangs and sorrows.