custom

A custom
More honour'd in the breach than the observance.

c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

20 […] These men being Iewes, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customes which are not lawfull for vs to receiue, neither to obserue, being Romanes.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 16:20-21:

For first Mr. Dier's opinion was that the ancient custom for exportation was by the common laws; and goeth furder, that that ancient custom was the custom upon wools, woolfells, and leather.

a. 1627 (date written), Francis Bacon, “A.D. 1610. Ætat. 50.”, in James Spedding, editor, The Works of Francis Bacon, […]: The Letters and the Life of Francis Bacon […], volume IV, London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, published 1858, →OCLC, page 194:

Moved beyond his custom, Gama said

1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Part 6”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:

Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.

Let him have your custom, but not your votes.

1710 September 28, Joseph Addison, The Whig Examiner, number 3:

(dated outside UK) Habitual buying of goods from one same vendor.

(collectively) The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.

The distinction between custom and usage it that usage is a fact and custom is a law. There can be usage without custom, but not custom without usage.

1888, Francis Wharton, A Commentary on the Law of Evidence in Civil Issues, 3rd edition, volume 2, page 188:

(law) Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.

The Ancient Egyptian culture had many distinctive and interesting beliefs and customs; one custom was the mummification of the dead.

The rest of the necklace holders finally came in! If you bought a custom from me thank you so much for your patience! I’m gonna try my best to crank them out as fast as possible

Oftentimes I have trouble finding enough women to buy customs from. Strangely enough, finding women to take hundreds of dollars for a selfie isn’t as easy as you’d think.

2020 July 28, “Paying for porn: How much is appropriate?”, in Slate Magazine:

A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, etc.

Age can not wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety.

c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:

(obsolete) Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

1769, Bible, Authorised King James Version, Oxford standard text, Romans, xiii, 7

(archaic, uncountable) Toll, tax, or tribute.

en-noun

custom (countable and uncountable, plural customs)

klandizie

habitual buying of goods from one same vendor

PIE word
 *ḱóm
 PIE word
 *swé
From Middle English custume, borrowed from Anglo-Norman custume, inherited from Latin consuētūdinem, a noun derived from cōnsuēscō, from con- (“with”) + suēscō (“become used or accustomed to”). Doublet of costume and consuetude.
Adjective form circa 1830.


custom

Near-synonyms: custom-made, tailored, tailor-made, custom-built, purpose-built; see also Thesaurus:custom-made

My feet are very large, so I need custom shoes.

Made or done in a way adjusted to fit the needs of a particular person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.

We can embroider a wide range of ready designs or a custom logo.


custom

a. 1771 (written, published posthumously) Thomas Gray, Agrippina
Have not forgot your sire; the eye of Rome
And the Prætorian camp have long revered,
With customed awe the daughter, sister, wife,
And mother of their Cæsars

(transitive, obsolete) To make familiar; to accustom.

But yet a man might reply, that if a Shooemaker ſhould haue no Shooes in his Shoppe, but onely worke, as hee is beſpoken, hee ſhould bee weakley cuſtomed.

1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 52, recto:

(transitive, obsolete) To supply with customers.

Barabas, thy ships are safe,
Riding in Malta Rhode; and all the merchants
With other merchandize are safe arriv'd,
And have sent me to know whether yourself
Will come and custom them.

c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1633, →OCLC, Act I:

(transitive, obsolete) To pay the customs of.

For on a Bridge he cuſtometh to fight, / Which is but narrow, but exceeding long; / And in the ſame are many trap fals pight, / Through which the rider downe doth fall through ouerſight.

1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 7, page 198:

(intransitive, obsolete) To have a custom.

en-verb

custom (third-person singular simple present customs, present participle customing, simple past and past participle customed)

customs (present singular third-person)
customing (participle present)
customed (participle past)
customed (past)