to be a mark or sign of; indicate: A fever often denotes an infection.
to be a name or designation for; mean.
to represent by a symbol; stand as a symbol for.
verb (tr; may take a clause as object)
to be a sign, symbol, or symptom of; indicate or designate
(of words, phrases, expressions, etc) to have as a literal or obvious meaning
v.
1590s, from Middle French dénoter (14c.), from Latin denotare “denote, mark out,” from de- “completely” + notare “to mark” (see note (v.)). Related: Denoted; denoting.