betoken

[ bih-toh-kuhn ]
See synonyms for betoken on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to give evidence of; indicate: to betoken one's fidelity with a vow; a kiss that betokens one's affection.

  2. to be or give a token or sign of; portend: a thunderclap that betokens foul weather; an angry word that betokens hostility.

Origin of betoken

1
First recorded in 1125–75, betoken is from the Middle English word bitocnen, bitacnen. See be-, token

Words Nearby betoken

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use betoken in a sentence

  • The financial burden of the war, as the full measure of it dawned upon our minds, seemed to betoken a universal bankruptcy.

  • And Kark telling Earl Hakon his dream said he thought it might betoken a short life 61 for him.

  • At my last encounter they had contented themselves with following us home, but now everything seemed to betoken mischief.

    Mass' George | George Manville Fenn
  • Certainly her airs and graces, her plumes and jewelry, seemed to betoken that her finances were in a flourishing condition.

    A Life Sentence | Adeline Sergeant
  • Johnsen was pale and had something nervous about his manner, which seemed to betoken a wish to bring the interview to a close.

    Garman and Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland

British Dictionary definitions for betoken

betoken

/ (bɪˈtəʊkən) /


verb(tr)
  1. to indicate; signify: black clothes betoken mourning

  2. to portend; augur

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012