after-cost

English

Noun

after-cost (plural after-costs)

1. Alternative form of aftercost
   • 2010, Walter Bagehot, Physics and Politics, →ISBN, page 73:

     But originality in war does, and slave- owning nations, having time to think, are likely to be more shrewd in policy, and more crafty in strategy. No doubt this momentary gain is bought at a ruinous after-cost.