Her. Also 6 coste. [a. OF. coste (mod.F. côte) rib:—L. costa rib.] = COTISE; but sometimes differentiated from it: cf. 1610.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, 12. A ‘Coste’ is the fourth parte of the bende … and is called at somtime a Cotys, somtyme a Batune.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry (1679), 44. He beareth Or, a Bend Verrey, between 2 Cotises or Costs, Gules. Ibid., II. v. (1660), 61. When one of these is borne alone … then shall you tearme it … a Cost; but if they be borne by couples … then you may name them Cotises.
1868. Cussans, Her. (1893)., iv. 57. The diminutives of the Bend are the Bendlet, or Garter, which is half the width of the Bend; the Cost, or Cotice, which is half the Bendlet; and the Riband, half of the Cost. Costs never appear alone in a shield.
Cost, obs. f. COAST, side, rib, border, region, etc.
