■ noun
1》 a thing serving to represent a fact, quality, feeling, etc.: a ~ of friendship.
↘ archaic a badge or favour worn to indicate allegiance.
↘ archaic a word or object conferring authority on or serving to authenticate the speaker or holder.
↘a device given to a train driver on a single-track railway as authority to proceed.
2》 a voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services.
↘a metal or plastic disc used to operate a machine or in exchange for goods or services.
3》 Linguistics an individual occurrence of a linguistic unit in speech or writing. Contrasted with type .
4》 Computing a sequence of bits passed between nodes in a fixed order and enabling a node to transmit information.
■ adjective done for the sake of appearances or as a symbolic gesture: a ~ fine.
↘chosen by way of ~ism to represent a particular group.
Phrases
by the same (or that or this ) ~ in the same way or for the same reason.
in ~ of as a sign or symbol of.
Origin
OE tāc(e)n , of Gmc origin; related to teach .