toll

noun \ ˈtōl \

Definition of toll

1 : a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)

2 : compensation for services rendered: such 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

Origin and Etymology of toll

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

toll

verb

Definition of toll

tolled; tolling; tolls

intransitive verb

: to take or levy toll

transitive verb

1 a : to exact part of as a toll

b : to take as toll

2 : to exact a toll from (someone)

First Known Use of toll

14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

toll

verb

Definition of toll

tolled; tolling; tolls

intransitive verb

: to sound with slow measured strokes

the bell tolls solemnly

transitive verb

1 : to sound (a bell) by pulling the rope

2 a : to give signal or announcement of

the clock tolled each hour

b : to announce by tolling

church bells tolled the death of the bishop

c : to call to or from a place or occasion

bells tolled the congregation to church

Origin and Etymology of toll

Middle English, to pull, drag, toll (a bell), perhaps alteration of toilen to struggle — more at toil

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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toll

noun

Definition of toll

: the sound of a tolling bell

First Known Use of toll

15th century

in the meaning defined above

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toll

verb \ ˈtōl \

variants: or tole

Definition of toll

tolled or toled; tolling or toling

transitive verb

1 : allure, entice

2 a : to entice (game) to approach

b : to attract (fish) with scattered bait

c : to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point

Origin and Etymology of toll

Middle English tollen, tolen; akin to Old English fortyllan to seduce

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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TOLL Defined for Kids

toll

noun \ ˈtōl \

Definition of toll for Students

1 : a tax paid for a privilege (as the use of a highway or bridge)

2 : a charge paid for a service

3 : the cost in life or health

toll

verb

Definition of toll for Students

tolled; tolling

1 : to announce or call by the sounding of a bell

The clock tolled midnight.

2 : to sound with slow strokes

Bells tolled solemnly.

toll

noun

Definition of toll for Students

: the sound of a bell ringing slowly

Law Dictionary

toll

noun

legal Definition of toll

: a charge for the use of a transportation route or facility; broadly : a charge for use

a water toll

Origin and Etymology of toll

Old English, tax or fee paid for a liberty or privilege, ultimately from Late Latin telonium custom house, from Greek tolōnion, from telōnēs collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll