Middle English Dictionary Entry
cō̆sten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | cō̆sten v. P. & ppl. costed, cost(e. |
| Etymology | OF coster |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To cost (a specified amount); also fig.; (b) ~ dere, to cost (sb.) dear; ~ hit noght so dere, ?whatever it may cost.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.768 : It shal coste noght.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3285 : Lest it [humility] costeth to maintiene.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.535 : Hadde myn housbonde..doon a thyng that sholde haue cost his lyf.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)prol.203-4 : Þis coler þat costed me neure..Þouȝ it had coste me catel.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.383 : It coste me moche more.
- (1402) Let.Zouche in RES 8 (PRO E 101/512/10)262 : Ȝe wolde haue ordeyned me..ye queyntest pater nosterster yat ȝe kan fynde, wat so euer they coste.
- (1423) Pet.Sutton in Fenland NQ 7308 : Writtes of errour..have cost hem c marc and more.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)39.32 : That On thing..shal the not Costen In non degre.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)4/16 : Þe fyssch þat had coste hym xx d.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15148 : A Portows..whiche cost 41 s.
- a1475 Gawain & CC (Brog 2.1)419 : Hit cost a M li and mar.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)173/148 : Þow þat a lytyl pynt xulde coste a Ml. pownde.
b
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3494 : A sholde delyuery me out of prisoun Wyþ strenghþe of hand ouþer raunsoun, Coste hit noȝt so dere.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.1133 : I haue a poudre..that coste me deere.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.Ad Filium (Hnt HM 744)66 : Syn þat we so deere costed thee.
- a1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)373 : Þis wold ha costed dere.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)16/240 : [Cain:] that [sheaf]..and this..haue cost me full dere.
2.
(a) To spend money; ~ for, pay (a price) for (sth.); ~ in, spend (money) on (sth.), spend on behalf of (sb.); ~ on, spend on (sb., sth.); (b) to buy (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 21.24 : Halowe thee with hem; and coste in [vr. ȝeue thou among; L impende in] hem, that thei schaue her heedis.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.FCLife (Corp-C 296)194 : Riche men..þat costen so moche in grete schapellis & costy bokis of mannus ordynaunce..& wolen not spende so moche aboute bokis of goddis lawe.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)431 : If þou haue oȝte on hur coste [rime: boste].
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)116 : Costun, or do coste, or spendyn: Expendo..Impendo.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)4319 : Grettly there on haue I coste [rime: loste].
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 2250)9959 : Crist his blode & flesshe for vs cost.
b
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28025 : Þat ilk saul þat he Cost wit his ded on rode tre.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1475(c1450) ?Scrope Mirror World (Bod 283) 12770 : Feithe sheweth þe weye to þe pilgrime, but louff ledith hym soo that the weye costeth hym litil or nought.
Note: Ed.: "costeth: 'afflicts, troubles' ([F] grieve)." Cf. MED costful adj.(1)
Note: New sense.