index

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: in=dex

CIDE DICTIONARY

index, n. [L.: cf. F. index. See Indicate, Diction.].

•  That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses; as, the increasing unemployment rate is an index of how much the economy has slowed.  [1913 Webster]

  "Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of plants."  [1913 Webster]
•  That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger or other form of pointer on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument.  [1913 Webster]
•  A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book, usually giving the page on which a particular word or topic may be found; -- usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume. Typically found only in non-fiction books.  [1913 Webster]
•  A prologue indicating what follows.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  The second finger, that next to the pollex (thumb), in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger.  [1913 Webster]
•  The figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent.  [1913 Webster]
•  The ratio, or formula expressing the ratio, of one dimension of a thing to another dimension; as, the vertical index of the cranium.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  A number providing a measure of some quantity derived by a formula, usually a form of averaging, from multiple quantities; -- used mostly in economics; as, the index of leading indicators; the index of industrial production; the consumer price index. See, for example, the consumer price index.  [PJC]
•  A file containing a table with the addresses of data items, arranged for rapid and convenient search for the addresses.  [PJC]
•  A number which serves as a label for a data item and also represents the address of a data item within a table or array.  [PJC]
•  The Index prohibitorius, a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; also called Index of forbidden books and Index Librorum Prohibitorum.  [PJC]

Index error, the error in the reading of a mathematical instrument arising from the zero of the index not being in complete adjustment with that of the limb, or with its theoretically perfect position in the instrument; a correction to be applied to the instrument readings equal to the error of the zero adjustment. -- Index expurgatorius. [L.] See Index prohibitorius (below). -- Index finger. See Index, 5. -- Index glass, the mirror on the index of a quadrant, sextant, etc. -- Index hand, the pointer or hand of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; a hand that points to something. -- Index of a logarithm (Math.), the integral part of the logarithm, and always one less than the number of integral figures in the given number. It is also called the characteristic. -- Index of refraction, or Refractive index (Opt.), the number which expresses the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction. Thus the index of refraction for sulphur is 2, because, when light passes out of air into sulphur, the sine of the angle of incidence is double the sine of the angle of refraction. -- Index plate, a graduated circular plate, or one with circular rows of holes differently spaced; used in machines for graduating circles, cutting gear teeth, etc. -- Index prohibitorius [L.], or Prohibitory index (R. C. Ch.), a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; the index expurgatorius [L.], or expurgatory index, is a catalogue of books from which passages marked as against faith or morals must be removed before Catholics can read them. These catalogues are published with additions, from time to time, by the Congregation of the Index, composed of cardinals, theologians, etc., under the sanction of the pope. Hook. -- Index rerum [L.], a tabulated and alphabetized notebook, for systematic preservation of items, quotations, etc.

index, v. t. 

•  To provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents.  [1913 Webster]
•  To adjust (wages, prices, taxes, etc.) automatically so as to compensate for changes in prices, usually as measured by the consumer price index or other economic measure. Its purpose is usually to copensate for inflation.  [PJC]
•  To insert (a word, name, file folder, etc.) into an index or into an indexed arrangement; as, to index a contract under its date of signing.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

index, n. & v.
--n. (pl. indexes or esp. in technical use indices)
1 an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc., with references, usu. at the end of a book.
2 = card index.
3 (in full index number) a number showing the variation of prices or wages as compared with a chosen base period (retail price index; Dow-Jones index).
4 Math. a the exponent of a number. b the power to which it is raised.
5 a a pointer, esp. on an instrument, showing a quantity, a position on a scale, etc. b an indicator of a trend, direction, tendency, etc. c (usu. foll. by of) a sign, token, or indication of something.
6 Physics a number expressing a physical property etc. in terms of a standard (refractive index).
7 Computing a set of items each of which specifies one of the records of a file and contains information about its address.
8 (Index) RC Ch. hist. a list of books forbidden to Roman Catholics to read.
9 Printing a symbol shaped like a pointing hand, used to draw attention to a note etc.
--v.tr.
1 provide (a book etc.) with an index.
2 enter in an index.
3 relate (wages etc.) to the value of a price index.

Idiom

index finger the forefinger. index-linked related to the value of a retail price index.

Derivative

indexation n. indexer n. indexible adj. indexical adj. indexless adj.

Etymology

ME f. L index indicis forefinger, informer, sign: sense 8 f. L Index librorum prohibitorum list of prohibited books

THESAURUS

index

Art Index, Baedeker, Bibliography Index, Books in Print, Cumulative Book Index, Education Index, Eighteenth Amendment, Lambert conformal projection, Mercator projection, Miller projection, National Union Catalog, Prohibition Party, Volstead Act, Yellow Pages, acknowledgments, aeronautical chart, alphabetize, analyze, annotated bibliography, annual bibliography, annulary, aroma, arrange, arrow, assort, astronomical chart, atlas, attribute, azimuthal equidistant projection, azimuthal projection, back, back matter, backlist, badge, ban, banner, bastard title, bibliography, bibliography of bibliographies, blaze, book, brand, break down, broad hint, business directory, cachet, calendar, card index, cartographer, cartography, carve, casebook, cast, catalog, catalogue, catalogue raisonne, catch line, catchword, categorize, celestial chart, celestial globe, census, chalk, chalk up, character, characteristic, chart, check in, checklist, chorographer, chorography, chronicle, city directory, class, classified catalog, classified directory, classify, climatic chart, clue, code, codify, colophon, compass needle, composition, concordance, configuration, conic projection, constituents, content, contents, contents page, contour line, contour map, contraband, copyright page, critical bibliography, cue, cut, cyclopedia, cylindrical projection, dactylion, dedication, denial, device, diatesseron, dictionary catalog, differentia, differential, digest, digit, direction, direction post, directory, disallowance, distinctive feature, divide, divisions, docket, earmark, elements, embargo, encyclopedia, endleaf, endpaper, endsheet, engrave, enroll, enscroll, enter, enumerate, errata, evidence, exclusion, factor, feature, figure, figures, file, fill out, finding list, finger, finger post, fist, flavor, flyleaf, folio, forbiddance, forbidden fruit, forbidding, fore edge, forefinger, foreword, formula, front matter, gazetteer, general reference map, gentle hint, gesture, glimmer, glimmering, globe, gnomonic projection, grade, graphic scale, grave, grid line, group, guide, guideboard, guidebook, guidepost, gust, guts, hachure, half-title page, hallmark, hand, handbook, handlist, harmony, head, heliographic chart, hint, hour hand, hydrographic chart, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, image, impanel, implication, impress, impression, imprint, incise, index expurgatorius, index finger, index librorum prohibitorum, indexes, indicant, indication, indicator, indices, individualism, ingredients, inhibition, injunction, inkling, innards, innuendo, inscribe, inscription, insert, insides, insignia, insinuation, interdict, interdiction, interdictum, intimation, introduction, inventory, isoline, itemize, items, itinerary, jot down, keep score, key, keynote, kick, latitude, law, layer tint, lead, leaf, legend, lineaments, list, listing, little finger, log, longitude, look, lubber line, make a memorandum, make a note, make an entry, make out, makeup, mannerism, map, map maker, map projection, mapper, mark, mark down, marker, marking, matriculate, measure, medius, meridian, middle finger, milepost, minimus, minute, minute hand, mold, nature, needle, no-no, nod, note, note down, nudge, odor, order, page, parallel, part, particularity, parts, peculiarity, periodical index, phone book, photogrammetrist, photogrammetry, photomap, phototopography, physical map, picture, pigeonhole, pinkie, place, place upon record, pointer, political map, poll, pollex, polyconic projection, polyglot, post, post up, preclusion, preface, preliminaries, prevention, program, prohibition, prohibitory injunction, projection, prompt, property, proscription, put down, put in writing, put on paper, put on tape, quality, quirk, range, rank, rate, ratio, record, record book, recto, reduce to writing, reference book, refusal, register, rejection, relief map, representation, representative, representative fraction, repression, restrictive covenants, reverso, ring finger, road map, roadbook, ruling out, running title, savor, scale, scent, schedule, score, seal, set down, shape, sigil, sign, signal, signature, signboard, significant, signpost, singularity, sinusoidal projection, smack, sort, source book, special map, specialty, spoor, stamp, statistics, statute, studbook, subdivide, subtitle, suggestion, sumptuary laws, suppression, sure sign, suspicion, symptom, table, table of contents, table of organization, taboo, tabulate, tail, taint, take down, tally, tang, tape, tape-record, taste, telephone book, telephone directory, telltale, telltale sign, terrain map, terrestrial globe, text, thematic map, thesaurus, thumb, thumb index, title, title page, token, topographer, topographic chart, topography, track, trait, transportation map, trick, trim size, type, type page, verso, videotape, vital statistics, weather chart, weather map, whisper, whole, wink, work of reference, write, write down, write in, write out, write up, zoning, zoning laws

ROGET THESAURUS

index

Word

N word, term, vocable, name, phrase, root, etymon, derivative, part of speech, ideophone, dictionary, vocabulary, lexicon, glossary, index, concordance, thesaurus, gradus, delectus, etymology, derivation, glossology, terminology orismology, paleology, lexicography, glossographer, lexicologist, verbarian, verbal, literal, titular, nominal, conjugate, paronymous, derivative, verbally, verbatim, the artillery of words.

Arrangement

VB reduce to order, bring into order, introduce order into, rally, arrange, dispose, place, form, put in order, set in order, place in order, set out, collocate, pack, marshal, range, size, rank, group, parcel out, allot, distribute, deal, cast the parts, assign the parts, dispose of, assign places to, assort, sort, sift, riddle, put to rights, set to rights, put into shape, put in trim, put in array, apportion, class, classify, divide, file, string together, thread, register, catalogue, tabulate, index, graduate, digest, grade, methodize, regulate, systematize, coordinate, organize, settle, fix, unravel, disentangle, ravel, card, disembroil, feaze.

Number

N number, symbol, numeral, figure, cipher, digit, integer, counter, round number, formula, function, series, sum, difference, complement, subtrahend, product, multiplicand, multiplier, multiplicator, coefficient, multiple, dividend, divisor, factor, quotient, submultiple, fraction, rational number, surd, irrational number, transcendental number, mixed number, complex number, complex conjugate, numerator, denominator, decimal, circulating decimal, repetend, common measure, aliquot part, prime number, prime, relative prime, prime factor, prime pair, reciprocal, totient, binary number, octal number, hexadecimal number, permutation, combination, variation, election, ratio, proportion, comparison, progression, arithmetical progression, geometrical progression, harmonical progression, percentage, permilage, figurate numbers, pyramidal numbers, polygonal numbers, power, root, exponent, index, logarithm, antilogarithm, modulus, base, differential, integral, fluxion, fluent, numeral, complementary, divisible, aliquot, reciprocal, prime, relatively prime, fractional, decimal, figurate, incommensurable, proportional, exponential, logarithmic, logometric, differential, fluxional, integral, totitive, positive, negative, rational, irrational, surd, radical, real, complex, imaginary, finite, infinite, impossible, numerically, modulo.

List

N list, catalog, catalogue, inventory, register, account, bill, bill of costs, terrier, tally, listing, itemization, atlas, book, ledger, catalogue raisonne, tableau, invoice, bill of lading, prospectus, bill of fare, menu, carte, score, census, statistics, returns, contents, table of contents, outline, synopsis, checklist, table, chart, database, index, inverted file, word list, concordance, dictionary, lexicon, vocabulary, glossary, thesaurus, file, card index, card file, rolodex, address book, Red book, Blue book, Domesday book, cadastre, directory, gazetter, almanac, army list, clergy list, civil service list, navy list, Almanach de Gotha, cadaster, Lloyd's register, nautical almanac, who's who, Guiness's Book of World Records, roll, check roll, checker roll, bead roll, muster roll, muster book, roster, panel, jury list, cartulary, diptych, cadastral.

Measurement

N measurement, admeasurement, mensuration, survey, valuation, appraisement, assessment, assize, estimate, estimation, dead reckoning, reckoning, gauging, horse power, metrology, weights and measures, compound arithmetic, measure, yard measure, standard, rule, foot rule, compass, calipers, gage, gauge, meter, line, rod, check, dividers, velo, flood mark, high water mark, Plimsoll line, index, scale, graduation, graduated scale, nonius, vernier, bathometer, galvanometer, heliometer, interferometer, odometer, ombrometer, pantometer, pluviometer, pneumatometer, pneumometer, radiometer, refractometer, respirometer, rheometer, spirometer, telemeter, udometer, vacuometer, variometer, viameter, thermometer, thermistor (heat) &c, barometer (air), anemometer (wind), dynamometer, goniometer, (angle) 244 meter, landmark, balance, scale, marigraph, pneumatograph, stethograph, rain gauge, rain gage, voltmeter (volts), ammeter (amps), spectrophotometer (light absorbance), mass spectrophotometer (molecular mass), geiger counter, scintillation counter (radioactivity), pycnometer (liquid density), graduated cylinder, volumetric flask (volume), radar gun (velocity), radar (distance), side-looking radar, (shape, topography), sonar (depth in water), light meter (light intensity), clock, watch, stopwatch, chronometer (time), anemometer (wind velocity), densitometer (color intensity), measurability, computability, determinability, coordinates, ordinate and abscissa, polar coordinates, latitude and longitude, declination and right ascension, altitude and azimuth, geometry, stereometry, hypsometry, metage, surveying, land surveying, geodesy, geodetics, geodesia, orthometry, altimetry, cadastre, astrolabe, armillary sphere, land surveyor, geometer, measuring, metric, metrical, measurable, perceptible, noticeable, detectable, appreciable, ponderable, determinable, fathomable, geodetical, topographic, topographical, cartographic, cartographical.

Indication

N indication, symbolism, symbolization, semiology, semiotics, semeiology, semeiotics, Zeitgeist, characteristic, diagnostic, lineament, feature, trait, fingerprint, voiceprint, footprint, noseprint, cloven hoof, footfall, recognition (memory), diagnostic, divining rod, detector, sign, symbol, index, indice, indicator, point, pointer, exponent, note, token, symptom, dollar sign, dollar mark, type, figure, emblem, cipher, device, representation, epigraph, motto, posy, gesture, gesticulation, pantomime, wink, glance, leer, nod, shrug, beck, touch, nudge, dactylology, dactylonomy, freemasonry, telegraphy, chirology, byplay, dumb show, cue, hint, clue, clew, key, scent, signal, signal post, rocket, blue light, watch fire, watch tower, telegraph, semaphore, flagstaff, cresset, fiery cross, calumet, heliograph, guidon, headlight, mark, scratch, line, stroke, dash, score, stripe, streak, tick, dot, point, notch, nick, print, imprint, impress, impression, keyboard symbols, printing symbols, red letter, italics, sublineation, underlining, bold font, jotting, note, annotation, reference, blaze, cedilla, guillemets, hachure, quotation marks, ", double quotes, " ", parentheses, "( )", brackets, "", braces, "", left arrow, "<", right arrow, ">", forward slash, "/", backward slash, "\", exclamation point, "!", commercial at, "@", pound sign, "#", percent sign, "%", carat, "", ampersand, "&", asterisk, "*", hyphen, "-", dash, "-", "_", em dash, "--", plus sign, "+", equals sign, "=", question mark, "?", period, ", ", semicolon, ", ", colon, ":", comma, ", ", apostrophe, "'", single quote, "'", tilde, "~", badge, criterion, countercheck, countermark, countersign, counterfoil, duplicate, tally, label, ticket, billet, letter, counter, check, chip, chop, dib, totem, tessera, card, bill, witness, voucher, stamp, cacher, trade mark, Hall mark, signature, mark, autograph, autography, attestation, hand, hand writing, sign manual, cipher, seal, sigil, signet, hand and seal, paraph, brand, superscription, indorsement, endorsement, password, watchword, catchword, security card, pass, passkey, credentials, open sesame, timbrology, mot de passe, mot du guet, pass-parole, shibboleth, title, heading, docket, address card, visiting card, carte de visite, insignia, banner, banneret, bannerol, bandrol, flag, colors, streamer, standard, eagle, labarum, oriflamb, oriflamme, figurehead, ensign, pennon, pennant, pendant, burgee, blue Peter, jack, ancient, gonfalon, union jack, banderole, old glory, quarantine flag, vexillum, yellow-flag, yellow jack, tricolor, stars and stripes, bunting, heraldry, crest, coat of arms, arms, armorial bearings, hatchment, escutcheon, scutcheon, shield, supporters, livery, uniform, cockade, epaulet, chevron, garland, love knot, favor, beacon, cairn, post, staff, flagstaff, hand, pointer, vane, cock, weathercock, guidepost, handpost, fingerpost, directing post, signpost, pillars of Hercules, pharos, bale-fire, beacon-fire, l'etoile du Nord, landmark, seamark, lighthouse, balize, polestar, loadstar, lodestar, cynosure, guide, address, direction, name, sign, signboard, warning, omen, prefigurement, trace, record, warning &c, alarm, scepter, trophy, gauge, milestone, milepost, brand, fool's cap, check, telltale, test, mileage ticket, milliary, notification, advertisement, word of command, call, bugle call, trumpet call, bell, alarum, cry, battle cry, rallying cry, angelus, reveille, sacring bell, sanctus bell, exposition &c (explanation), proof, pattern, indicating, indicative, indicatory, denotative, connotative, diacritical, representative, typical, symbolic, pantomimic, pathognomonic, symptomatic, characteristic, demonstrative, diagnostic, exponential, emblematic, armorial, individual, known by, recognizable by, indicated, pointed, marked, denotable, indelible, in token of, symbolically, in dumb show, ecce signum, ex ungue leonem, ex pede Herculem, vide ut supra, vultus ariete fortior.