betoken C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes US /bɪˈtoʊkən/ UK /bɪˈtəʊkən/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 verb to be a sign of; to indicate or foreshadow The dark clouds betokened the storm that would soon break. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to be a sign of; to... indicatesignifydenoteportendpresageforeshadowbespeak Word family Related forms token Etymology AI details From Middle English bitacnen, from be- (intensive) + tacnen ('to signify'), from Old English tācnian, from tācen ('token, sign'). be- Old English tācen Old English View etymology graph -> Topics Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # betoken **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /bɪˈtoʊkən/ **IPA (UK):** /bɪˈtəʊkən/ ## Meanings 1. to be a sign of; to indicate or foreshadow ## Examples - The dark clouds betokened the storm that would soon break. ## Synonyms - indicate - signify - denote - portend - presage - foreshadow - bespeak ## Related Forms - token ## Roots and Affixes - Root: be- - Root: tācen ## Etymology From Middle English bitacnen, from be- (intensive) + tacnen ('to signify'), from Old English tācnian, from tācen ('token, sign'). ## AI Etymology Betoken is a verb meaning "to be a sign of; to indicate or foreshadow". Historically, it is from Middle English bitacnen, from be- (intensive) + tacnen ('to signify'), from Old English tācnian, from tācen ('token, sign'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: betoken is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Old English be- with Old English tācen. A close English family member is token. ## Topics - Actions & Processes - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown