Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CUS'TOM, n.¹ [Fr. coutume, for coustume; It. costuma, costume; Sp. costumbre; Port. costume; Arm. custum. Qu. L. consuetus.]

1. Frequent or common use, or practice; a frequent repetition of the same act; hence, way; established manner; habitual practice. The priest's custom with the people was … – 1 Sam. ii. We have no such custom. – 1 Cor. xi. The customs of the people are vain. – Jer. x.
2. A buying of goods; practice of frequenting a shop, and purchasing or procuring to be done. The shopkeeper has extensive custom, or a good run of custom. A mill or a manufacturer has extensive custom, or little custom. Let him have your custom, but not your votes. – Addison.
3. In law, long established practice, or usage, which constitutes the unwritten law, and long consent to which gives it authority. Customs are general, which extend over a state or kingdom, and particular, which are limited to a city or district. – Encyc.