octroi

American  

[ok-troi, awk-trwa] / ˈɒk trɔɪ, ɔkˈtrwa /

noun

octrois plural

1. (formerly especially in France and Italy) a local tax levied on certain articles, such as foodstuffs, on their entry into a city.

2. the place at which such a tax is collected.

3. the officials collecting it.

4. the act of a sovereign in granting to subjects a constitution or other charter.

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octroi British  

/ ˈɒktrwɑː /

noun

1. (in some European countries, esp France) a duty on various goods brought into certain towns or cities

2. the place where such a duty is collected

3. the officers responsible for its collection

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• octrois
  plural

Etymology

Origin of octroi

1605–15; < French, noun derivative of octroyer to grant, partial Latinization of Old French otreier < Medieval Latin auctorizāre; see authorize

Example Sentences

His remarks upon the defences of Bombay, the octroi duty, and the great expense of the military buildings, form the starting-point of subsequent important action in these matters during his Viceroyalty.

From The Earl of Mayo Rulers of India by Hunter, William Wilson

They are, therefore, allowed to store them, under the supervision of the octroi, and pay as they are sold.

From Paris From the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Volume 2 by Walton, William

He now embodied his free-trade principles in commercial treaties with England and France, and abolished the octroi duties and the tolls on the national roads.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 2 "French Literature" to "Frost, William" by Various

They could see the octroi and the first houses through the trees.

From The Transgression of Andrew Vane a novel by Carryl, Guy Wetmore

Further, every city had its own octroi duties, customs, ferry dues, highway and water rates.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various