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betoken - 5 dictionary results

be⋅to⋅ken

[bi-toh-kuhn]
–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:
1125–75; ME bitocnen, bitacnen. See be-, token
be·to·ken     (bĭ-tō'kən)  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   be·to·kened, be·to·ken·ing, be·to·kens
To be or give a sign or portent of. See Synonyms at indicate.

[Middle English bitoknen : bi-, be- + toknen, to signify (from Old English tācnian; see deik- in Indo-European roots).]

betoken 
c.1175, from be- + O.E. tacnian "to signify," from tacn "sign" (see token).

betoken

verb
1. be a signal for or a symptom of; "These symptoms indicate a serious illness"; "Her behavior points to a severe neurosis"; "The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued" [syn: bespeak
2. indicate by signs; "These signs bode bad news" 

Betoken

Be*to"ken\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Betokened; p. pr. & vb. n. Betokening.]

1. To signify by some visible object; to show by signs or tokens.

A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow . . . Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. --Milton.

2. To foreshow by present signs; to indicate something future by that which is seen or known; as, a dark cloud often betokens a storm.

Syn: To presage; portend; indicate; mark; note.

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