Middle English Dictionary Entry
cost n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | cost n.(1) Also chost. |
| Etymology | OE |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Mode of procedure, course of action; means, way; alre coste, in any way, at all; bi no ~, by no means, not at all; nedes cost(es, of necessity, necessarily; (b) a contrivance, device.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)21 : We ne maȝen alre coste halden crist bibode.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13769 : Nus þer cost nan oðer.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18166 : He wes war þat þer næs cost [Otho: read] nan oder seoððen dæd wes his broðer.
- ?a1300 Sayings St.Bern.(Dgb 86)34 : Nedes costes þou most deyen.
- a1350 Ich herdemen (Hrl 2253)43 : Forþ to þe chepyn, geyneþ ne chost, Þah ysulle mi bil & my borstax.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1477 : Nedes cost he moste hymseluen hyde.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1054 : He dyde make..a dyk..& closed yn al Brutes host, Þat non myght skape by no cost.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)7745 : Nedes cost it must be soo.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)43/13 : Þe wittis..needis cost demen and knowen as þei fynden.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1478 : Þe candelstik bi a cost watz cayred þider sone.
2.
(a) A natural trait or property, an attribute; nature, natural disposition; the terms, conditions (of Gawain's adventure); (b) pl. customary mode of behavior, habits; moral conduct, behavior; customs, manners.
Associated quotations
a
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)650 : Ðe culuer haueð costes gode.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3327 : He wenden it [manna] were a rein, knewen he nogt ðis dewes cost.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8179 : Þe king þat kind was of his cost [Göt: of cost; Trin-C: in cost].
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)3.68 : Crist knoweþ..þi kynde wille, And þi coste and þi coueitise.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1024 : Alle þe costez of kynde hit combrez uch one.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1849 : Who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-inne [in the girdle].
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8056 : Aȝȝ whil þatt I wass litell child Icc held o childess þæwess, & son summ icc wass waxenn mann Þa flæh I childess cosstess.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)29 : He haueð þes deofles costes þet a festeð and a deð uuel.
- a1250(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Mdst A.13)464 : Elde cummeþ to tune mid fele unkuþe costes.
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.528 : As a wilde bore he lepe him to, His costes for to schawe.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)307/14 : Hedde þei o wille: To leue þis world wiþ costes ille.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9969 : Had neuer womman..sa mani costes [Göt: maners] god, Als maria maiden.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1483 : Wyȝe þat..connez not of compaynye þe costez vndertake.
- a1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)380 : What schuld ye do at is place Swych costus to kythe?
3.
State, condition, circumstances; distressed condition, tribulation; ~ of care, afflicted condition; pl. hardships.
Associated quotations
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)4157 : Heo..for a mucla costa toȝenes þan twam kingen.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7963 : Quen dauid kneu his cost o care, Can he neuer reu thing sua sare.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)546 : Ȝe knowe þe cost of þis cace.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)750 : Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2495 : Ferlyly he telles, Biknowez alle þe costes of care þat he hade.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3319 : Schew me þi grace in euery coste!
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1400 Trin-C O.9.39 Recipes (Trin-C O.9.39)54/8 : Ȝif þu fayle of þy firyng þu moste nedes cost fayle of þy purpose and ȝit peraventure lese a grete quantite of þy weyȝte.
Note: Needed for date in sense 1.(a).