Tō'ken1, n.
(tō'kn), n. [A-S. tācon, tācun, tācen, tæcen, from tæcan, to teach, show; Goth. tāikns, O. Sax. tēkan, tēkean, O. Fries. teken, tekn, teiken, D. & L. Ger. teken, Icel. takn, teikn, Sw. tēken, tecken, Dan. tegn, O. H. Ger. zeichen, N. H. Ger. zeichen.]
Sense 1. Something intended or supposed to represent or indicate another thing or an event; a sign; as, the rainbow is a token of God's covenant established with Noah.
The sun gives token of a goodly day to-morrow. Shak.
Sense 2. A memorial of friendship; something by which the friendship of another person is to be kept in mind; a souvenir.
This is some token from a newer friend. Shak.
Sense 3. A piece of metal intended for currency, and issued by a private party, usually bearing the name of the party by whom issued, and redeemable by the issuer in lawful money. In England, they were first issued for farthings, but at a later period, especially during the war with Napoleon Bonaparte, they were freely put in circulation by individuals for half-pennies, pennies, and even for sixpences, shillings, half-crowns, and crowns, by city corporations and the Bank of England.
Sense 4. (Med.) A livid spot upon the body, indicating, or supposed to indicate, the approach of death. [Obs.]
Like the fearful tokens of the plague, Are mere forerunners of their ends. Beau. & Fl.
Sense 5. (Print.) Ten quires of paper.
☞ A white token is 250 sheets of paper printed on both sides, or about 10½ quires of 24 sheets.
Token sheet, the last sheet of each token. Savage.