INDEX


Meaning of INDEX in English

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.

Phrases and idioms:

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

Derivatives:

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

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.