toll-free, a.
[toll n.1 + free a.]
Free from toll; exempt from payment of toll. (Usually in predicative or adverbial construction.)
| 1052–67 Charter of Eadweard in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 209 Tolfreo ofer ealle Engleland, wiðinne burhe and wiðutan. 1277 Brit. Mus. Add. Charter 51563 [Pannage and other rights are granted] cum hopirfre et tolfre in omnibus molendinis meis. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 327 That y⊇ cytezens of London shulde passe toll fre thorough all Englande. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. 10 Some men to be tole free, and some to be hopper fre. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 493 He obtained that it might bee every where Toll-free. 1829 Scott Anne of G. x, Such wares will not pass toll-free where Archibald of Hagenbach hath authority. |
b. Esp. (N. Amer.) of telephone calls, lines, etc.
| 1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 26 Sept. 31/1 (Advt), For reservations, call toll-free 368-7474. 1971 Sci. Amer. Oct. 7/2 (Advt.), When you buy a '72, you get the name and toll-free number of a person in Detroit. 1976 National Observer (U.S.) 13 Mar. 3/6 (Advt.), Write or call now. Our toll-free lines are open 24 hours daily, 7 days a week. 1979 Arizona Daily Star 5 Aug. (Advt. Section) 4/3 Make a toll-free call to Bill Jackson. 1984 Gainesville (Florida) Sun 28 Mar. 2a/3, I have called the same toll-free number I ordered from several times but these people will not return my call. |