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betoken

[bih-toh-kuh n]
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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.

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. bethune, mary mcleod,
  2. betide,
  3. betimes,
  4. betjeman,
  5. betjeman, sir john,
  6. betony,
  7. betook,
  8. betray,
  9. betrayal,
  10. betrayer

Origin of betoken

First recorded in 1125–75, betoken is from the Middle English word bitocnen, bitacnen. See be-, token
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for betoken

British Dictionary definitions for betoken

betoken

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
Word Origin and History for betoken

betoken

v.

late 12c., from be- + Old English tacnian "to signify," from tacn "sign" (see token). Related: Betokened; betokening.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper