1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1570), 68. They may their learning receyue costles and free.
1626. Bernard, Isle of Man (1627), 178. Costlesse Complements, Faire Speech.
1665–9. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. ii. (1675), 174. After we had awhile enjoy’d this costless, and yet excellent Musick.
1846. Trench, Mirac., xxii. (1862), 333. It was not … an easy and costless effort to render their thanks to Him.
1875. Jevons, Money, xviii. 233. [Postage stamps] form a convenient and costless form of remittance.
Hence Costlessness.
1862. P. H. Bird, in Builder, 19 April. These plans recommend themselves by their simplicity, costlessness, and efficiency.
1885. Med. Times, Dec., 885/2. Certainty of effect, simplicity of operation, and costlessness.
