costa

n. [ OF. coustage. ] Expense; cost. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. costal. See Costa. ] 1. (Anat.) Pertaining to the ribs or the sides of the body; as, costal nerves. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot. & Zool.) Relating to a costa, or rib. [ 1913 Webster ]

Costal cartilage. See Cartilage, and Illust. of Thorax. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Having the nerves spring from the midrib. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. fr. OF. coste rib, side, F. côte, and meaning orig., a ribbed apple, from the ribs or angles on its sides. See Coast. ] 1. An apple, large and round like the head. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some [ apples ] consist more of air than water . . . ; others more of water than wind, as your costards and pomewaters. Muffett. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The head; -- used contemptuously. [ 1913 Webster ]

Try whether your costard or my bat be the harder. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A costermonger. [ 1913 Webster ]