Main Entry:

¹to·ken

Pronunciation:

\ˈtō-kən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English tācen, tācn sign, token; akin to Old High German zeihhan sign, Greek deiknynai to show — more at diction

Date:

before 12th century

1: an outward sign or expression <his tears were tokens of his grief>2 a: symbol, emblem <a white flag is a token of surrender> b: an instance of a linguistic expression3: a distinguishing feature : characteristic4 a: souvenir, keepsake b: a small part representing the whole : indication <this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish> c: something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)5 a: a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government b: a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms6: a member of a group (as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism ; especially : a token employee

synonyms see sign

— by the same token

: for the same reason