cost
UK[kɒst]US[kɔːst]
v
To require a specified payment or sacrifice
n
The price paid or required for acquiring, producing, or maintaining something
n
A loss or penalty incurred, especially in gaining something
Etymology
The word 'cost' originates from the Old French 'coster' (modern French 'coûter'), meaning 'to cost'. This, in turn, came from the Latin 'constare', literally 'to stand at, to stand firm', composed of 'com-' (with, together) and 'stare' (to stand). The semantic evolution is logical: from the idea of a price 'standing at' or being fixed, it came to signify the fixed price itself. It entered Middle English via Anglo-Norman and replaced the native Old English term 'ceapian' (to buy), solidifying its place in the lexicon of commerce and value.
Analysis
The word 'cost' is a simplex word derived from a single, tight Germanic root.
Examples
The new software will cost the company a significant amount of money.
We must consider the environmental cost of rapid industrialization.
The victory was achieved at great human cost.