Her. Forms 6 cotys, 6–9 -ize, 7 -is(se, cottize, -as, 7–9 cottice, 9 cottise, cotice, 7– cotise. [a. F. cotice, in 16th c. cotisse, of uncertain origin.]
1. An ordinary, in breadth the fourth part of a bend; usually occurring in couples, one on each side of a bend, fess, or other charge; cf. COST sb.4
[1300. Siege Caerlaverock (1828), 12. O une blanche bende lee De deus costices entre alee.]
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, 12. A Coste, is the fourth parte of the bende … and is called at somtime a Cotys, somtyme a Batune.
1610. [see COST sb.4].
1844. Burke, Encycl. Heraldry, s.v. Browne, Sa. three tigers passant in bend betw. two double cotises arg.
† 2. (See quot.) Obs.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, VI. vi. (1611), 271. If the things be liuing, and sease vpon the Shield, then shall they be called properly Supporters; but if they are inanimate, and touch not the Escocheon, then shall such Armes be said to be (not Supported, but) Cotised of such and such things…. And these Cotises … are so called … of Costa, the Rib.
