Word: toll (noun, verb)

Associations

The word "toll" has two main uses: as a noun and as a verb.

As a noun:

• It often means a fee you pay to use a road, bridge, or tunnel. For example, "I paid a toll to cross the bridge."
• It can also mean the number of deaths or damage caused by an event, like "The earthquake took a heavy toll on the city."

As a verb:

• It means to ring a bell slowly and repeatedly. For example, "The church bell tolled at midnight."
• It can also mean to cause loss or damage gradually, like "The long illness tolled his strength."

Examples as a noun (fee):

• "We stopped to pay the toll on the highway." (You pay money to use the road.)
• "The toll for the tunnel is $5." (Cost for passing through.)
• "Traffic was slow because of the toll booth."

Examples as a noun (damage or loss):

• "The toll of the war was high." (Many people were hurt or died.)
• "The toll on the environment is concerning." (Damage to nature.)

Examples as a verb:

• "The bell tolled for the funeral." (The bell rang slowly.)
• "Years of stress tolled on her health." (Caused damage over time.)

Synonym difference:

• For the noun meaning "fee," a synonym is "charge," but "toll" is specific to roads or crossings.
• For the noun meaning "damage or loss," a synonym is "cost," but "toll" often refers to human loss or suffering.
• For the verb meaning "ring a bell," a synonym is "ring," but "toll" means slow, repeated ringing.

Substitution

• Instead of "toll" (fee), you can say "charge," "fee," or "fare," but "toll" is used for roads or bridges.
• Instead of "toll" (damage/loss), you can say "cost," "loss," or "damage," but "toll" often implies a serious or emotional loss.
• Instead of "toll" (verb), you can say "ring," "sound," or "chime," but "toll" means slow and repeated.

Deconstruction

• The noun "toll" comes from Old English "toll" meaning a tax or payment.
• The verb "toll" comes from Old English "tollian," meaning to cause a bell to sound.
• The idea of "toll" as a fee comes from the historic practice of charging travelers to use roads or bridges.
• The idea of "toll" as loss comes from the sense that the "ringing of a bell" marked deaths or sadness.

Inquiry

• Can you think of any roads or bridges near you that require a toll?
• Have you ever heard a bell toll? What was the occasion?
• How would you describe the toll of a difficult experience in your life?
• When someone says "the toll of time," what do you think they mean?