[in.dex] n, pl in.dex.es or in.di.ces [L indic-, index, fr. indicare to indicate] (1571) 1 a: a device (as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to indicate a value or quantity b: something (as a physical feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a particular fact or conclusion: indication
2: a list (as of bibliographical information or citations to a body of literature) arranged usu. in alphabetical order of some specified datum (as author, subject, or keyword): as a: a list of items (as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for each item the page number where it may be found b: thumb index c: a bibliographical analysis of groups of publications that is usu. published periodically
3: a list of restricted or prohibited material; specif, cap: a list of books the reading of which is prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
4. pl usu indices: a number or symbol or expression (as an exponent) associated with another to indicate a mathematical operation to be performed or to indicate use or position in an arrangement
5: a character representing a fist with an extended index finger used to direct attention to a note or paragraph--called also fist
6. a: a number (as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and used as an indicator or measure; specif: index number b: the ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to another dimension
[2]index vt (1720) 1 a: to provide with an index b: to list in an index "all persons and places mentioned are carefully ~ed"
2: to serve as an index of
3: to regulate (as wages, prices, or interest rates) by indexation ~ vi: to index something -- in.dex.er n