[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

cost \cost\, n. of. cost, f. co^ut. see cost, v. t. 
   1. the amount paid, charged, or engaged to be paid, for
      anything bought or taken in barter; charge; expense;
      hence, whatever, as labor, self-denial, suffering, etc.,
      is requisite to secure benefit.
      1913 webster

            one day shall crown the alliance on 't so please
            you,
            here at my house, and at my proper cost. --shak.
      1913 webster

            at less cost of life than is often expended in a
            skirmish, charles v. saved europe from invasion.
                                                  --prescott.
      1913 webster

   2. loss of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering.
      1913 webster

            i know thy trains,
            though dearly to my cost, thy gins and toils.
                                                  --milton.
      1913 webster

   3. pl. law expenses incurred in litigation.
      1913 webster

   note: costs in actions or suits are either between attorney
         and client, being what are payable in every case to the
         attorney or counsel by his client whether he ultimately
         succeed or not, or between party and party, being those
         which the law gives, or the court in its discretion
         decrees, to the prevailing, against the losing, party.
         1913 webster

   bill of costs. see under bill.

   cost free, without outlay or expense. "her duties being to
      talk french, and her privileges to live cost free and to
      gather scraps of knowledge." --thackeray.
      1913 webster
see also:
cost bill of costs bill cost free 

Cost >> C Words
Cost, definition of term: Cost
cost_pag1.html

Cost Analysis >> C Words
Cost Analysis, definition of term: Cost Analysis
cost+analysis_pag1.html

Cost Accounting >> C Words
Cost Accounting, definition of term: Cost Accounting
cost+accounting_pag1.html

Cost Of Living >> C Words
Cost Of Living, definition of term: Cost Of Living
cost+of+living_pag1.html