token

/'toukən/

Definition

Noun:
- A physical object representing something else: A small, often flat, piece of metal, plastic, or other material that serves as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, right, feeling, or membership.
- A symbol or sign: Something that serves as an indication, evidence, or expression of something else.
- A single instance or occurrence: In linguistics and computing, an individual occurrence of a symbol, word, or element in a sequence or data set.
- A voucher or disk: A piece that can be used in place of money in specific machines or for specific purposes, like a subway token or arcade token.
Adjective:
- Done for appearances only; minimal or symbolic: An action or amount that is so small or insignificant it serves only as a symbolic gesture, not a substantial one.

Examples

Noun:
- He gave her a ring as a token of his love. (The ring is a physical symbol representing his feeling.)
- Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation. (The gift is a sign of their gratitude.)
- The word "bookkeeper" contains three tokens of the letter 'k'. (There are three individual instances of the letter 'k'.)
- You need a token to operate the laundry machine. (A coin-like disk is required to use the machine.)
Adjective:
- The company made a token effort to address the complaints. (The effort was minimal and likely insincere.)
- She was hired in a token role to improve the company's diversity image. (Her hiring was a symbolic gesture, not based on a genuine commitment.)

Advanced Usage

By the same token: For the same reason; in a similar way; furthermore.
- She is an excellent manager; by the same token, she is a demanding boss.
In token of: As a symbol or sign of.
- They shook hands in token of their agreement.

Variants and Related Words

Tokenism (n): The practice of making only a symbolic or minimal effort, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups to give the appearance of equality.
- The committee's inclusion of one young member was criticized as mere tokenism.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

Token payment: A very small payment made to acknowledge a debt or obligation, not to repay it substantially.
- He made a token payment on the large loan.

Related Idioms

More by token: An archaic phrase meaning "all the more so" or "for a stronger reason."
As a token of good faith: Something given to show sincere intention.
- He offered a refund as a token of good faith.

Adjective

insignificantly small; a matter of form only (`tokenish' is informal)
- the fee was nominal
- a token gesture of resistance
- a toknenish gesture

Noun

something of sentimental value
a metal or plastic disk that can be redeemed or used in designated slot machines
something serving as a sign of something else
an individual instance of a type of symbol
- the word`error' contains three tokens of `r'

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