Cosign 
To sign a note for the benefit of another, therefore assuming liability for the debt. 

Co-signer 
see co-maker. 

Cost 
The amount of money asked and paid for an item. 

Cost of Capital 
The rate of return that is necessary to maintain market value of a real estate project and is also used for project evaluation purposes. 

Cost of Development 
Expenditures incurred to develop real estate. 

Cost of Living 
Cost to buy goods and services encompassed in an accepted standard level of consumption. 

Cost-plus Percentage Contract 
A contract that determines the builder's profit based on a percentage of the labor and materials used in the construction of the building. 

Cotenancy 
When two or more individuals have simultaneous rights in a property unit and have legal privileges and responsibilities to each other. 

Cottage 
A one-story house, small in size. 

Cotter 
A bolt that is placed through a slot to hold something together. 

Cotter Pin 
A looped wire split pin, which holds objects together by having the ends opposite the loop spread apart, after insertion through a hole. 

Coulisse 
A grooved piece of wood that guides a sliding door or panel in a piece of furniture. 

Counter 
1. The top surface of a long table, cabinet, board, or top of anything that is used as an eating area, a place for preparing food, display of goods, etc. 
2. In a contrary manner or direction; in opposition. 

Counteract 
To undo the effect of something with opposing action. To neutralize. 

Counterbalance 
Weight used to balance another weight. A force or influence that offsets another. 

Counterbore 
The increase of the diameter of an opening for only part of the length. Holes though a material may have a one-inch sized diameter of half of the length with only a ¾ inch diameter for the balance of the hole, making it counterbored to a diameter of one inch to a depth of ½ inch. 

Counterclaim 
Counter action by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal action.

Counterclockwise
Movement in the direction opposite of the hands of a clock. 

Counter Electromotive Force 
Force that occurs due to the voltage produced by a magnetic field that is in opposition to the magnetic field that is around a coil. The voltage is induced in the coil when the magnetic field cuts the coil. Current moving through the coil forms a magnetic field around the coil. This magnetic field moves across the turns of the coil, which induces a second voltage, which builds a magnetic field opposing the course current. The induced voltage is counter electromotive force. 

Counterflashing 
Substance or material used at the top of a chimney at the roof to inhibit the development of moisture and to protect the metal with one end embedded in the masonry and the other edge overlapping the roof flashing. 

Counteroffer 
A response to an offer with a revised offer. 

Counterpoise 
A state of equality between opposing forces. 

Counterrotating 
Rotating in opposite directions. 

Countershaft 
Also called a jackshaft, this solid, short round shaft is used for the transmission of power from a motor to a working part. 

Countersink 
To enlarge a hole in the wood, metal, etc. so that the head of the screw or bolt will fit flush with the surface or below it; to sink the head of a bolt or screw into that hole. 

Countersink Bit 
Conical-shaped cutting edge designed to fit into the adjustable end of a drill (called a Chuck). This bit is used to cut countersinks. 

Counterthrust 
Opposing thrust. 

Countertop 
Top mounted surface of a cabinet, which is usually ceramic tile or synthetic marble or non-laminated plastic, depending on usage and cost. Certain countertops are more durable than others. 

Countertorque 
Braking a motor by the development of torque opposition to the direction of rotation through the reversal of power to the motor. 

Counterweight 
Weight equal to another; a counter balance. 

Coupling 
A type of fitting with two female ends that receive the smaller ends of piping or tubing, making a connection. A mechanical device or part for joining parts together to make a joint. A type of fitting used to join plumbing pipes. 

Coupling, Bandage Type 
Wrap-around clamp consisting of an elastomer seal to encircle the pipe and a long split metal sleeve to fit around the elastomer, which is then tightened with band clamps, providing strength and repair. 

Coupon 
Sampling of material, which was involved in destructive testing as specified by ASTM, covering such types of testing as tensile testing, such as the dimensions of the sample used as a coupon. 

Course 
A continuous horizontal line of installed material such as brick, block, siding, etc. 

Courier Fee 
Charges for the delivery of documents between lenders, escrow companies, and other parties of a real estate transaction. 

Court 
1. Enclosed place. An uncovered space, wholly or partially surrounded by buildings or walls is a courtyard. 
2. Special section or area of a building, somewhat like a courtyard, but roofed with skylights. 
3. A specially prepared quadrangular shaped space used for playing any of several ballgames. 

Cove 
Concave or cratered corner. Interior corners. A hollow cornice. Recessed area. 

Cove Lighting 
Indirect lighting, which is created by installing it close to the joint of the ceiling and the wall so that it is shielded. 

Cove Molding 
Molding with a concave face, which is used to finish interior corners. 

Covenant 
A binding agreement made by two or more parties to either do or keep from doing a specified thing. 

Covenants Running With The Land 
Written agreement or guarantee annexed to the land, between two or more parties to do or not do something and is transferred to successive title holders. 

Coverage 
Square footage of surface area that can be covered by a particular material. 

Covered Electrode 
Consumable metal arc welding rod, which has a covering of a flux or other materials to enhance the weld quality. 

Cover Plate 
Removable cover of metal or other materials. 

Cowl 
Vent pipe hood, which protects it from the elements. 

CPI 
see Consumer Price Index. see Certified Property Manager. 

CPVC 
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride; plastic pipe which is used to carry hot water.