betoken

views updated May 18 2018

be·to·ken / biˈtōkən/ • v. [tr.] poetic/lit. be a sign of; indicate: she wondered if his cold, level gaze betokened indifference or anger. ∎  be a warning or indication of (a future event): the falling comet betokened the true end of Merlin's powers.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

betoken

views updated May 21 2018

betoken XII. OE. *betācnian = OHG. bizeihhanōn (G. bezeichnen); see BE-, TOKEN.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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