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Origin and history of token

token(n.)

Old English tacen "sign, symbol, evidence, portent" (related to verb tæcan "show, explain, teach"), from Proto-Germanic *taikna- (source also of Old Saxon tekan, Old Norse teikn "zodiac sign, omen, token," Old Frisian tekan, Middle Dutch teken, Dutch teken, Old High German zeihhan, German zeichen, Gothic taikn "sign, token"). According to Watkins, this is from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly." Compare, from the same root, German zeigen "to show," Old English teon "to accuse,"

Also in late Old English as "observable characteristic or action indicating an inner state; means of identifying a person." By c. 1200 of physical objects representing an action, state, deity, etc.; "keepsake, that which serves as a reminder." From late 14c. as "act performed in recognition of a contract or agreement; public, symbolic display or act." The meaning "coin-like piece of stamped metal" is by 1590s.

The Middle English sense of "evidence, support for a belief" is retained in by the same token (mid-15c.), a phrase used in introducing a corroborative circumstance, according to Century Dictionary "almost equivalent to 'this in testimony.' "

token(adj.)

"nominal," 1915, from token (n.). In integration sense, attested by 1960.

also from 1915

Entries linking to token

betoken(v.)

Middle English bitoknen "be a symbol or emblem of," from late Old English betacnian "to denote, to mean, signify; be a visible sign or emblem of," from be- + Old English tacnian "to signify," from tacn "sign" (see token) or directly from Proto-Germanic *taiknōjanan.

It is attested from c. 1200 as "to augur, presage, portend," also "be or give evidence of." Related: Betokened; betokening.

Early Middle English also had itaknen "represent symbolically," from Old English getacnian. Also infrequent token (v.), "be a symbol of," from Middle English toknen "represent (something) by a symbol, set a mark on, designate," from Old English tacnian. A tokener (mid-15c.) was one who puts a mark of approval on goods.

sign(n.)

early 13c., signe, "gesture or motion of the hand," especially one meant to express thought or convey an idea, from Old French signe "sign, mark," from Latin signum "identifying mark, token, indication, symbol; proof; military standard, ensign; a signal, an omen; sign in the heavens, constellation."

According to Watkins, literally "standard that one follows," from PIE *sekw-no-, from root *sekw- (1) "to follow." De Vaan has it from PIE *sekh-no- "cut," from PIE root *sek- "to cut" He writes: "The etymological appurtenance to seco 'to cut' implies a semantic shift of *sek-no- 'what is cut out', 'carved out' > 'sign'." But he also also compares Hebrew sakkin, Aramaic sakkin "slaughtering-knife," and mentions a theory that "both words are probably borrowed from an unknown third source."

It has ousted native token. By c. 1300 as "an indication of some coming event." The meaning "a visible mark or device having some special meaning" is recorded from late 13c.; that of "miraculous manifestation, a miracle demonstrating divine power" is from c. 1300. In reference to one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, from mid-14c.

The sense of "inscribed board with a characteristic device attached to the front of an inn, shop, etc.," to distinguish it from others is recorded from mid-15c. The meaning "indicator, token or signal of some condition" (late 13c.) is behind sign of the times (1520s). The meaning "conventional mark or symbol in place of words" (in music, mathematics, etc., as in plus sign) is by 1550s. In some uses, the word probably is a shortening of ensign.