What is "cost free"

Cost \Cost\, n. [OF. cost, F. co[^u]t. 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.

   One day shall crown the alliance on 't so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost.
   --Shak.

   At less cost of life than is often expended in a skirmish, [Charles V.] saved Europe from invasion.
   --Prescott.

2. Loss of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering.

   I know thy trains, Though dearly to my cost, thy gins and toils.
   --Milton.

3. pl. (Law) Expenses incurred in litigation.

   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.

   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] ||