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 expression
3 : a distinguishing feature : characteristic
4 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 terms
6 : 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