[to.ken] n [ME, fr. OE tacen, tacn sign, token; akin to OHG zeihhan sign, Gk deiknynai to show--more at diction] (bef. 12c) 1: an outward sign or expression "his tears were ~s of his grief"
2. a: symbol, emblem "a white flag is a ~ of surrender" b: an instance of a linguistic expression
3: a distinguishing feature: characteristic
4. a: souvenir, keepsake b: a small part representing the whole: indication "this is only a ~ of what we hope to accomplish" c: something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)
5. a: a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government b: a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms
6: a member of a group (as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism; esp: a token employee syn see sign -- by the same token : for the same reason
[2]token adj (1547) 1: done or given as a token esp. in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement "a ~ payment"
2. a: representing no more than a symbolic effort: minimal, perfunctory "~ resistance" "~ integration" b: serving or intended to show absence of discrimination "a ~ female employee"