Main Entry:

¹toll

Pronunciation:

\ˈtōl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English, from Vulgar Latin *tolonium, alteration of Late Latin telonium customhouse, from Greek tolōnion, from telōnēs collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll; perhaps akin to Greek tlēnai to bear

Date:

before 12th century

1: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)2: compensation for services rendered: as a: a charge for transportation b: a charge for a long-distance telephone call 3: a grievous or ruinous price <inflation has taken its toll> ; especially : cost in life or health <the death toll from the hurricane>