from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Token \To"ken\ (t[=o]"k'n), n. [OE. token, taken, AS. t[=a]cen;
akin to OFries. t[=e]ken, OS. t[=e]kan, D. teeken, G.
zeichen, OHG. Zeihhan, Icel. t[=a]kan, teiken, Sw. tecken,
Dan. tegn, Goth. taikns sign, token, gateihan to tell, show,
AS. te['o]n to accuse, G. zeihen, OHG. z[imac]han, G. zeigen
to show, OHG. zeig[=o]n, Icel. tj[=a], L. dicere to say, Gr.
deikny`nai to show, Skr. di[,c]. Cf. {Diction}, {Teach}.]
1. Something intended or supposed to represent or indicate
another thing or an event; a sign; a symbol; as, the
rainbow is a token of God's covenant established with
Noah.
[1913 Webster]
2. A memorial of friendship; something by which the
friendship of another person is to be kept in mind; a
memento; a souvenir.
[1913 Webster]
This is some token from a never friend. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. Something given or shown as a symbol or guarantee of
authority or right; a sign of authenticity, of power, good
faith, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Say, by this token, I desire his company. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. A piece of metal intended for currency, and issued by a
private party, usually bearing the name of the issuer, and
redeemable in lawful money. Also, a coin issued by
government, esp. when its use as lawful money is limited
and its intrinsic value is much below its nominal value.
[1913 Webster]
Note: It is now made unlawful for private persons to issue
tokens.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Med.) A livid spot upon the body, indicating, or supposed
to indicate, the approach of death. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Like the fearful tokens of the plague,
Are mere forerunners of their ends. --Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Print.) Ten and a half quires, or, commonly, 250 sheets,
of paper printed on both sides; also, in some cases, the
same number of sheets printed on one side, or half the
number printed on both sides.
[1913 Webster]
7. (Ch. of Scot.) A piece of metal given beforehand to each
person in the congregation who is permitted to partake of
the Lord's Supper.
[1913 Webster]
8. (Mining) A bit of leather having a peculiar mark
designating a particular miner. Each hewer sends one of
these with each corf or tub he has hewn.
[1913 Webster]
9. (Weaving) In a Jacquard loom, a colored signal to show the
weaver which shuttle to use.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Token money}, money which is lawfully current for more than
its real value. See {Token}, n., 4.
{Token sheet} (Print.), the last sheet of each token. --W.
Savage.
[1913 Webster]