Final answer:
In civil proceedings, 'costs' refer to the expenses incurred by the parties involved in the legal process. These costs are usually awarded to the prevailing party at the end of the case. The purpose of awarding costs is to compensate the winning party and discourage frivolous lawsuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
In civil proceedings, 'costs' refer to the expenses incurred by the parties involved in the legal process, such as court fees, attorney fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. These costs are usually awarded to the prevailing party at the end of the case, meaning the party that wins the lawsuit. The purpose of awarding costs is to compensate the winning party for their expenses and to discourage frivolous lawsuits.