Definition of "expence"

[…] neuertheleſſe he was ſo poore and miſerable, that euen when he was in ſtate of a Generall, & gaue vp an accompt of his expences, he would not ſticke to put into his bookes, ſo much, for a gowne, and ſo much for a payer of pantophles.

1579, Plutarke of Chæronea [i.e., Plutarch], “The Life of Nicias”, in Thomas North, transl., The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romaines, […], London: […] Richard Field, page 589

Now, I say, why Time should be so burthensome to such as these, or what should betray them to such infrugal Expences of it, I can give no account without making severe Reflexions on their Discretion.

a. 1689, John Goodman, Winter-Evening Conference between Neighbors

That one tenth part of the whole Expence, of the King of England's Subjects, is sufficient to maintain ten thousand Foot, forty thousand Horse, and forty thousand Men at Sea; and defray all other Charges of the Government both Ordinary and Extraordinary, if the same were regularly Taxed, and Raised. (William Petty 1676 - Political Arithmetick; edition 1899, p. 305)

c. 1676, William Petty, Political Arithmetick (1690) Chapter VII

A Frenchman, in his own Country, would dress a fine Dinner of twenty Dishes, and all genteel and pretty, for the Expence he will put an English Lord to for dressing one Dish. But then there is the little petty Profit. [...] So much is the blind Folly of this Age, that they would rather be impos'd on by a French Booby, than give Encouragement to a good English Cook!

1747, Hannah Glasse, The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, page iii

I know it is no easy matter so to deepen or hollow the channel of a bar, that it may never after need clearing, and that the expences run high: but my zeal for promoting the advantage of this colony having prompted me to make reflections on those passes, or entrances of the Missisippi,[sic] and being perfectly well acquainted both with the country and the nature of the soil, I dare flatter myself, I may be able to accomplish it, to the great benefit of the province, and acquit myself therein with honour, at a small charge, and in a manner not to need repetition.

1763, [unknown translator], Le Page Du Pratz, History of Louisiana, BiblioBazaar LLC, (2006), page 88

As to an additional servant, the expence would be a trifle; […]

1811, [Jane Austen], chapter XII, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume I, London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], page 134