(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
When a bell ~s or when someone ~s it, it rings slowly and repeatedly, often as a sign that someone has died.
Church bells ~ed and black flags fluttered...
The pilgrims ~ed the bell.
VERB: V, V n
2.
A ~ is a small sum of money that you have to pay in order to use a particular bridge or road.
N-COUNT
3.
A ~ road or ~ bridge is a road or bridge where you have to pay in order to use it.
N-COUNT: N n
4.
A ~ is a total number of deaths, accidents, or disasters that occur in a particular period of time. (JOURNALISM)
There are fears that the casualty ~ may be higher.
N-COUNT: usu sing, supp N
see also death ~
5.
If you say that something takes its ~ or takes a heavy ~, you mean that it has a bad effect or causes a lot of suffering.
Winter takes its ~ on your health...
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n