Definition of "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, [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, […], 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, page 194

Moved beyond his custom, Gama said

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

Let him have your custom, but not your votes.

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

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

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

2019 May 31, Abella Art & Design, tweet

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

Age can not wither her, nor custom staleHer infinite variety.

c. 1606–1607, 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, [Act II, scene ii]

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

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

a. 1771 (written, published posthumously) Thomas Gray, Agrippina

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, […], folio 52, recto

Barabas, thy ships are safe,Riding in Malta-road; and all the merchantsWith other merchandise are safe arriv'd,And have sent me to know whether yourselfWill come and custom them.

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

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, stanza 7, page 198