denote

verb

1. (transitive)To indicate; to mark.

   “The yellow blazes denote the trail.”

   “together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, that can denote me truly”

   “The letters "SC" inscribed on the smokebox door of a locomotive denote that it is fitted with a self-cleaning smokebox.”

   “You'll find the usual holidays — Christmas and New Year's — denoted on this and other feminist calendars and even Jewish holy days and lunar phases, but Lesbian/Gay Pride Day is noticeably (and sadly) absent.”

2. (transitive)To make overt.
3. (transitive)To refer to literally; to convey as objective meaning.

   “The prefix pre- denotes "before", as in preview.”