Dictionary.com

betoken

[ bih-toh-kuhn ]
/ bɪˈtoʊ kən /
See synonyms for betoken on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to give evidence of; indicate: to betoken one's fidelity with a vow; a kiss that betokens one's affection.
to be or give a token or sign of; portend: a thunderclap that betokens foul weather; an angry word that betokens hostility.

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Origin of betoken

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

Words nearby betoken

betide, betimes, bêtise, Betjeman, to blame, be, betoken, bet one's ass, bet on the wrong horse, betony, betook, Betoptic S
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to betoken

betide, note, signify, denote, omen, show, assert, express, portend, foreshadow, forebode, import, bespeak, augur, symbolize, presage, witness, foreshow

Example sentences from the Web for betoken

British Dictionary definitions for betoken

betoken
/ (bɪˈtəʊkən) /

verb (tr)

to indicate; signifyblack clothes betoken mourning
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