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>