Any of a series of usually arbitrary codes used by jewelers to communicate prices secretly.

plural of cost mark

The cost of production, without regard to profit.

(finance, accounting, business) A cost that can be directly attributed to a cost object (such as a particular project, facility, function, service, or product).

Alternative form of aftercost

(historical) A book containing the names and shares of the joint speculators in a mining enterprise.

plural of cost-book

plural of cost avoidance

The cost of extracting oil from an oil well, excluding later factors such as tax and transportation.

efficient with respect to cost; producing a large effect relative to cost