ˈtəukən n. & adj. --n. 1 a
thing serving as a
symbol,
reminder, or
distinctive mark of
something (as a token of
affection; in token of my esteem). 2 a thing serving as
evidence of authenticity or as a
guarantee. 3 a
voucher exchangeable
for goods (often of a specified kind),
given as a
gift. 4
anything used to
represent something
else,
esp. a
metal disc etc. used
instead of
money in coin-operated machines etc. 5 (attrib.) a
nominal or
perfunctory (token effort). b conducted briefly to
demonstrate strength of
feeling (token
resistance; token strike). c serving to
acknowledge a
principle only (token payment). d
chosen by
way of
tokenism to represent a
particular group (the token
woman on
the committee). øby
this (or the same) token 1 similarly. 2
moreover. token money coins having a higher
face value than their worth as metal. token
vote a
parliamentary vote of money, the stipulated
amount of
which is
not meant to be
binding. [OE tac(e)n f. Gmc, rel. to TEACH]
