custom

cus•tom

[[t]ˈkʌs təm[/t]] n.

1) a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances

2) habits or usages collectively; convention

3) a practice so long established that it has the force of law

4) such practices collectively

5) +law gov customs

a) law (used with a sing. or pl. v.) duties imposed by law on imported or, sometimes, exported goods

b) (used with a sing. v.) the government department that collects these duties

c) (used with a sing. v.) the section of an airport, station, etc., where baggage is checked for contraband and for goods subject to duty

6) regular patronage of a shop, restaurant, etc

7) customers or patrons collectively

8) a customary tax, tribute, or service due by feudal tenants to their lord

9) made specially for individual customers:

custom shoes[/ex]

10) dealing in things so made, or doing work to order:

a custom tailor[/ex]

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Etymology: 1150–1200; ME custume < AF; OF costume < VL *consuētūminem, for L consuētūdinem, acc. of consuētūdō habit syn: custom, habit, practice mean an established way of doing things. custom, applied to a community or to an individual, implies a more or less permanent way of acting reinforced by tradition and social attitudes: the custom of giving gifts at Christmas. habit, applied particularly to an individual, implies such repetition of the same action as to develop a natural, spontaneous, or rooted tendency or inclination to perform it: He has an annoying habit of interrupting the speaker. practice applies to a regularly followed procedure or pattern in conducting activities: It is his practice to verify all statements.