First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1toll
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: 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>
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Origin 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
2toll
verb
Definition of TOLL
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
Other Economics Terms
3toll
transitive verb \ˈtōl\
tolled or toledtoll·ing or tol·ing
Definition of TOLL
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
Variants of TOLL
toll or tole \ˈtōl\
Origin of TOLL
Middle English tollen, tolen; akin to Old English fortyllan to seduce
First Known Use: 13th century
4toll
verb
Definition of TOLL
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>
intransitive verb
: to sound with slow measured strokes <the bell tolls solemnly>
Origin of TOLL
Middle English, to pull, drag, toll (a bell), perhaps alteration of toilen to struggle — more at toil
First Known Use: 15th century
5toll
noun
TOLL Defined for Kids
1toll
noun \ˈtōl\
Definition of TOLL for Kids
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
2toll
verb
tolledtoll·ing
Definition of TOLL for Kids
1
: to announce or call by the sounding of a bell <The clock tolled midnight.>
2
: to sound with slow strokes <Bells tolled solemnly.>
3toll
noun
Definition of TOLL for Kids
: the sound of a bell ringing slowly
Learn More About TOLL
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