Tole vs. Toll — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 31, 2024
Tole refers to a painting technique on metal, while toll denotes a charge for using a road or bridge.
Difference Between Tole and Toll
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tole is a specialized term referring to the art of decorative painting on metal objects, particularly tin or enamelware. Toll, on the other hand, represents a fee charged for the use of certain infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, or tunnels.
While tole is an artistic term focused on a specific craft technique, toll is an economic and transportation-related concept. The former is associated with decorative arts and craftsmanship, reflecting cultural and historical artistry, whereas the latter is tied to the practical aspects of infrastructure use and management.
Tole painting is appreciated for its aesthetic value and the skill required to create intricate designs on metal surfaces. It often involves the use of stencils, brushes, and special paints to achieve its distinctive look. Toleware items can be found in antique shops and museums, celebrated for their beauty and the craftsmanship they represent.
Toll collection methods have evolved over time, from manual collection at toll booths to electronic toll collection systems, such as E-ZPass in the United States, which allow for the automatic charging of tolls without stopping vehicles. This evolution reflects broader changes in technology and society's approach to managing transportation infrastructure.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Painting technique on metal
Charge for using a road, bridge, or tunnel
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Context
Decorative arts and craftsmanship
Transportation and infrastructure management
Origin
Europe, 18th century popularity in America
Ancient, for road and bridge maintenance
Application
Household items, kitchenware
Roads, bridges, tunnels
Associated With
Artistic value, cultural history
Economic, traffic management
Compare with Definitions
Tole
Craftsmanship on metal.
Tole painting on lanterns is a cherished traditional craft.
Toll
Infrastructure fee.
The toll for crossing the bridge has increased this year.
Tole
Decorative painting.
The antique tole tray featured exquisite hand-painted flowers.
Toll
Economic aspect.
Toll revenue supports the maintenance of highways.
Tole
Vibrant designs.
Tole art often includes vibrant, colorful patterns on metal surfaces.
Toll
Ancient practice.
Toll collection is an ancient practice dating back to Roman roads.
Tole
Artistic tradition.
She took a course in tole painting to learn the traditional techniques.
Toll
Electronic collection.
Electronic toll collection systems streamline payments and reduce congestion.
Tole
Cultural significance.
Toleware is celebrated in museums for its historical artistry.
Toll
Traffic management.
Toll lanes help manage traffic flow during peak hours.
Tole
Painted, enamelled, or lacquered tin plate used to make decorative domestic objects
Colourfully painted tole accessories
Toll
A charge payable to use a bridge or road
Motorway tolls
A toll bridge
Tole
Tole is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Mirab Shewa Zone, it is bordered on the southwest by Kokir, on the west by Becho, on the northwest by Elu, on the northeast by the Awash which separates it from Alem Gena, and on the east and south by Kersana Kondaltiti.
Toll
A single ring of a bell
She heard the Cambridge School bell utter a single toll
Tole
A lacquered or enameled metalware, usually gilded and elaborately painted.
Toll
Charge a toll for the use of (a bridge or road)
The report advocates motorway tolling
Tole
A decorative metalware having a lacquered or enamelled surface that is painted or gilded.
Toll
(with reference to a bell) sound or cause to sound with a slow, uniform succession of strokes, as a signal or announcement
The priest began tolling the bell
The cathedral bells began to toll for evening service
Tole
(historical) A portion of grain paid to the miller who grinds it.
Toll
A fixed charge or tax for a privilege, especially for passage across a bridge or along a road.
Tole
(archaic) To entice; to allure or attract.
It is often necessary to tole a big stag, to induce him to leave the hind ...
Toll
A charge for a service, such as a telephone call to another country.
Tole
To draw, or cause to follow, by displaying something pleasing or desirable; to allure by some bait.
Whatever you observe him to be more frighted at then he should, tole him on to by insensible degrees, till at last he masters the difficulty.
Toll
An amount or extent of loss or destruction, as of life, health, or property
"Poverty and inadequate health care take their toll on the quality of a community's health" (Los Angeles Times).
Tole
Enameled or lacquered metalware (usually gilded and elaborately painted); popular in the 18th century;
The Pennsylvania Dutch tole watering can might be a reproduction but it looks convincing
Toll
The act of tolling.
Toll
The sound of a bell being struck.
Toll
To exact as a toll.
Toll
To charge a fee for using (a structure, such as a bridge).
Toll
To sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals.
Toll
To announce or summon by tolling.
Toll
To sound in slowly repeated single tones.
Toll
A fee paid for some liberty or privilege, particularly for the privilege of passing over a bridge or on a highway, or for that of vending goods in a fair, market, etc.
Toll
Loss or damage incurred through a disaster.
The war has taken its toll on the people.
Toll
(business) A fee for using any kind of material processing service.
We can handle on a toll basis your needs for spray drying, repackaging, crushing and grinding, and dry blending.
Toll
(US) A tollbooth.
We will be replacing some manned tolls with high-speed device readers.
Toll
A liberty to buy and sell within the bounds of a manor.
Toll
A portion of grain taken by a miller as a compensation for grinding.
Toll
The act or sound of tolling.
Toll
(transitive) To impose a fee for the use of.
Once more it is proposed to toll the East River bridges.
Toll
(ambitransitive) To levy a toll on (someone or something).
Toll
(transitive) To take as a toll.
Toll
To pay a toll or tallage.
Toll
(ergative) To ring (a bell) slowly and repeatedly.
Martin tolled the great bell every day.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls.
Toll
(transitive) To summon by ringing a bell.
The ringer tolled the workers back from the fields for vespers.
Toll
(transitive) To announce by tolling.
The bells tolled the King’s death.
Toll
(figuratively) To make a sound as if made by a bell.
Toll
To draw; pull; tug; drag.
Toll
(transitive) To tear in pieces.
Toll
(transitive) To draw; entice; invite; allure.
Hou many virgins shal she tolle and drawe to þe Lord - "Life of Our Lady"
Toll
(transitive) To lure with bait; tole (especially, fish and animals).
Toll
To take away; to vacate; to annul.
Toll
(legal) To suspend.
The defendant’s wrongful conduct.
Toll
To take away; to vacate; to annul.
Toll
To draw; to entice; to allure. See Tole.
Toll
To cause to sound, as a bell, with strokes slowly and uniformly repeated; as, to toll the funeral bell.
Toll
To strike, or to indicate by striking, as the hour; to ring a toll for; as, to toll a departed friend.
Slow tolls the village clock the drowsy hour.
Toll
To call, summon, or notify, by tolling or ringing.
When hollow murmurs of their evening bellsDismiss the sleepy swains, and toll them to their cells.
Toll
To sound or ring, as a bell, with strokes uniformly repeated at intervals, as at funerals, or in calling assemblies, or to announce the death of a person.
The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll.
Now sink in sorrows with a tolling bell.
Toll
To pay toll or tallage.
Toll
To take toll; to raise a tax.
Well could he [the miller] steal corn and toll thrice.
No Italian priestShall tithe or toll in our dominions.
Toll
To collect, as a toll.
Toll
The sound of a bell produced by strokes slowly and uniformly repeated.
Toll
A tax paid for some liberty or privilege, particularly for the privilege of passing over a bridge or on a highway, or for that of vending goods in a fair, market, or the like.
Toll
A liberty to buy and sell within the bounds of a manor.
Toll
A portion of grain taken by a miller as a compensation for grinding.
Toll
A fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
Toll
Value measured by what must be given or done or undergone to obtain something;
The cost in human life was enormous
The price of success is hard work
What price glory?
Toll
The sound of a bell being struck;
Saved by the bell
She heard the distant toll of church bells
Toll
Ring slowly;
For whom the bell tolls
Toll
Charge a fee for using;
Toll the bridges into New York City
Common Curiosities
What is tole painting?
Tole painting is a decorative art form involving painting on metal surfaces, often featuring detailed floral designs.
Can tole art be applied to any metal surface?
Yes, tole art can be applied to various metal surfaces, but it is traditionally associated with tin or enamelware.
What is the purpose of tolls?
The primary purpose of tolls is to generate revenue for the maintenance and improvement of transportation infrastructure and to manage traffic flow.
How are tolls collected?
Tolls can be collected manually at toll booths or automatically through electronic toll collection systems.
How does electronic toll collection work?
Electronic toll collection systems use transponders or license plate recognition technology to automatically charge tolls without stopping vehicles.
What makes tole painting unique?
Tole painting is unique for its intricate, hand-painted designs and the traditional techniques used to apply them to metal.
Are tolls effective in reducing traffic congestion?
Tolls can be effective in managing traffic, especially when dynamic pricing is used to incentivize off-peak travel.
What is a toll in terms of transportation?
A toll is a fee charged for using certain roads, bridges, or tunnels, used to fund infrastructure maintenance and manage traffic.
Why are tolls charged on some roads but not others?
Tolls are typically charged on roads, bridges, or tunnels that require significant funds for their construction, maintenance, or congestion management.
How do I start learning tole painting?
Learning tole painting can begin with online tutorials, craft books, or classes focusing on basic techniques and traditional designs.
Can tolls vary based on the time of day?
Yes, some toll roads use dynamic pricing, where toll rates vary based on traffic conditions or time of day to manage congestion.
Can toleware items be considered antiques?
Yes, many toleware items, especially those hand-painted with traditional techniques, are considered antiques and collectibles.
Are there any famous tole artists or pieces?
Tole painting is a folk art tradition, so while specific artists may not be widely known, certain pieces are celebrated for their craftsmanship and historical significance.
Is tole painting still practiced today?
Yes, tole painting is still practiced by artists and enthusiasts who appreciate the craft's traditional methods and aesthetic value.
What are some common items decorated with tole painting?
Common items include trays, coffee pots, lanterns, and other household and kitchenware, decorated with vibrant, detailed designs.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
