bə̇ˈtōkən, bē- transitive verb
( betokened ; betokened ; betokening -k(ə)niŋ ; betokens )
Etymology: Middle English betacnien, betokenen, from be- + tacnien, tokenen to token — more at token
1.
a. obsolete : to be a symbol of : signify visibly : represent
in the cloud a bow betokening peace from God — John Milton
b. : to show especially by signs or tokens : give evidence of
thin, tall, and of that ash-gray color which betokens constant sleeplessness — Osbert Sitwell
an elderly man, of … strong, square features, betokening a steady soul — Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. : foreshow , presage
no sighing in the woods to betoken a big weather change — John Muir
Synonyms: see indicate