n. 1 a charge payable for permission to pass a barrier or use a bridge or road etc. 2 the cost or damage caused by a disaster, battle, etc., or incurred in an achievement (death toll). 3 US a charge for a long distance telephone call. take its toll be accompanied by loss or injury etc. toll-bridge a bridge at which a toll is charged. toll-gate a gate preventing passage until a toll is paid. toll-house a house at a toll-gate or -bridge, used by a toll-collector. toll-road a road maintained by the tolls collected on it.
[ OE f. med.L toloneum f. LL teloneum f. Gk telonion toll-house f. telos tax ]