The phrase "covers cost" is spelled /kəˈvɜrz kɑst/. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, /ə/, followed by a voiced alveolar fricative, /v/. The second syllable contains the open-mid front unrounded vowel, /ɜ/, followed by a voiced alveolar stop, /r/. The final syllable is pronounced with an open back unrounded vowel, /ɑ/, followed by the voiceless alveolar fricative, /s/, and a voiceless alveolar stop, /t/. This phrase means to pay for or finance the cost of something.
The term "covers cost" refers to a financial arrangement or condition in which the total expenses or outlays associated with a particular activity, project, or endeavor are met or defrayed. When an entity or individual mentions that a certain cost is covered, it indicates that adequate funds or resources are available or allocated to pay for all the relevant expenditures.
In business, "covers cost" commonly pertains to a situation where the revenue or income generated from a product, service, or enterprise is sufficient to offset its production, operational, and maintenance expenses, ensuring that no financial loss is incurred. It suggests that the sales or revenues earned cover expenses such as manufacturing costs, overheads, labor, materials, marketing, and distribution expenses, resulting in a break-even point where no loss or gain is made.
Similarly, "covers cost" can extend to personal financial matters, indicating that an individual's income or savings are enough to meet their daily living expenses, including housing, food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, education, and other necessary needs. Essentially, it implies that the person's earnings sufficiently cover their expenditures, allowing them to maintain their standard of living without incurring debt or financial hardships.
Overall, "covers cost" refers to a state where the financial resources available are adequate to meet all the associated expenses, ensuring financial equilibrium or sustainability.
The phrase "covers cost" is not a single word; rather, it is a combination of two words with separate etymologies:
1. Covers: The word "covers" comes from the Old French word "covrir", which means "to cover". This Old French word can be traced back to the Latin word "cooperire", which has the same meaning. Over time, "covrir" evolved into the Middle English word "coveren", which eventually became "cover" in Modern English.
2. Cost: The word "cost" has its origins in the Old French word "coste", meaning "rib, side". This word derived from the Latin word "costa", which has the same meaning. In Old English, "coste" referred to the side of something and eventually came to mean the price or expense of acquiring something.