custom

Meanings

Noun

• Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
• Traditional beliefs or rituals
• Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, factory, etc., for making purchases or giving orders; business support.
• Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent; usage. See Usage, and Prescription.
• Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
• Toll, tax, or tribute.

Adjective

• Created under particular specifications, specially to fit one's needs: specialized, unique, custom-made.
• Own, personal, not standard or premade.
• Accustomed; usual.

Verb

• To make familiar; to accustom.
• To supply with customers.
• To pay the customs of.
• To have a custom.

Related

Similar words

• fashion
• habit
• wone
• practice
• usage
• wont

Origin

• From Middle English custume, borrowed from Anglo-Norman custume, from Old French coustume, from a Vulgar Latin or *costūmen, from Latin cōnsuētūdinem, accusative singular of cōnsuētūdō, from cōnsuēscō, from con- + suēscō. First element con- derives from cum, from Old Latin com, from Proto-Italic *kom, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm ("with, along"). Second element suēscō is from Proto-Indo-European *swe-dʰh₁-sk-, from *swé + *dʰeh₁-; related to Latin suus ("one's own, his own"). Displaced native Middle English wune ("custom, habit, practice") (from Old English wuna ("custom, habit, practice, rite")), Middle English side ("custom") (from Old English sidu ("custom, note, manner")), Middle English cure ("custom, choice, preference") (from Old English cyre ("choice, choosing, free will")). Doublet of costume and consuetude.
• Adjective form circa 1830.