◙ noun 1. a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of something abstract • 标志，象征 »mistletoe was cut from an oak tree as a token of good fortune. 从橡树上砍下槲寄生小枝以示好运气。 a thing given to or done for someone as an expression of one's feelings • （用于表达情感的）表示 »I wanted to offer you a small token of my appreciation. 我想给你个小东西以表示我的感激之情。 (archaic)a characteristic or distinctive sign or mark, especially a badge or favour worn to indicate allegiance to a particular person or party • [古] （用于表示忠诚的）记号（尤指徽章、缎带） (archaic)a word or object conferring authority on or serving to authenticate the speaker or holder • [古] （用于证明权威、真实性的）证明；信物 a staff or other object given to a train driver on a single-track railway as authority to proceed over a given section of line • （火车通行的）信号 [Computing] a sequence of bits used in a certain network architecture in which the ability to transmit information is conferred on a particular node by the arrival there of this sequence, which is passed continuously between nodes in a fixed order • [计算机] 权标，令牌 a person chosen by way of tokenism as a nominal representative of a minority or under-represented group • （为装点门面而选出的少数民族或未被充分代表群体的）象征性代表 2. a voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services, typically one given as a gift or offered as part of a promotional offer • （多指作为礼品或促销用的）礼券，代金券 »a record token. 纪念品礼券。 a metal or plastic disc used to operate a machine or in exchange for particular goods or services • （用于操作机器、换购货物或服务的）辅币，代币 3. an individual occurrence of a symbol or string, in particular • 标记，尤指 [Linguistics] an individual occurrence of a linguistic unit in speech or writing, as contrasted with the type or class of linguistic unit of which it is an instance • [语言学] 符号。 与type相对 [Computing] the smallest meaningful unit of information in a sequence of data for a compiler • [计算机] 令牌；记号，标志 ◙ adjective 1. done for the sake of appearances or as a symbolic gesture • 作为标志的；象征性的 »cases like these often bring just token fines from magistrates. 此类案件常常只是被地方法官处以象征性罚款。 [attrib.] (of a person) chosen by way of tokenism as a representative of a particular minority or under-represented group • 象征性当选的 »she took offence at being called the token woman on the force. 人们称她是这支队伍里为装点门面而当选的女人，这让她感到生气。
【IDIOMS】
◘ by the same (或 that 或 this) token 1. in the same way or for the same reason • 同样地，由于同样原因 »there was little evidence to substantiate the gossip and, by the same token, there was little to disprove it. 没有什么证据来证实这则小道消息，同样也没有证据来反驳它。 ◘ in token of 1. as a sign or symbol of • 作为…的标志（或象征）；表示 »adults exchanging drinks around a pub bar in token of temporary trust and friendship. 在酒吧里为表示一时的相互信任和友谊而干杯的成年人。
【派生】
♦ tokenize verb 1. (also tokenise). (in sense 3)
【语源】
1. Old English tāc(e)n, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch teken and German Zeichen, also to teach