I. in ‧ dex 1 W2 AC /ˈɪndeks/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'first finger, guide' , from indicare ; ⇨ ↑ indicate ]
1 . ( plural indexes ) an alphabetical list of names, subjects etc at the back of a book, with the numbers of the pages where they can be found
2 . ( plural indexes ) a set of cards or a ↑ database containing information, usually arranged in alphabetical order and used especially in a library
3 . ( plural indices /ˈɪndəsiːz, ˈɪndɪsiːz/) a standard by which the level of something can be judged or measured
index of
The changing size of an infant’s head is considered an index of brain growth.
4 . ( plural indices /ˈɪndəsiːz, ˈɪndɪsiːz/ or indexes ) technical a system by which prices, costs etc can be compared to those of a previous date
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THESAURUS
▪ list a set of names, places, jobs you need to do etc, which are written one below the other:
Henry’s name wasn’t on the list.
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She made a list of the people she wanted to invite to the wedding.
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Could I have a list of hotels in Bournemouth and the surrounding area?
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I forgot to bring my shopping list with me.
▪ checklist a list of things you need or things you have to do which you keep in order to help you remember them:
Use a checklist when visiting properties to buy, so that you keep a record of which features you liked and didn’t like.
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I made a checklist of things I needed to do before the holiday.
▪ short list/shortlist a list of the most suitable people for a job or prize, chosen from a larger group of people:
Her name is on the shortlist for the Booker Prize.
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You were lucky to even get onto the shortlist.
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A shortlist is drawn up, from which the successful candidate will be chosen.
▪ register an official list containing the names of all the people, organizations, or things of a particular type:
a register of qualified translators
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a civil register of births, deaths, and marriages
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Make sure your name is on the electoral register (=the official list of people who can vote) .
▪ programme British English , program American English a list of all the activities or events that have been planned, especially one that shows when each event will happen:
First on the programme is a speech by the organizer, Mrs Jenkins.
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A spectacular program of exhibitions, displays and competitions has been planned.
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Because of bad weather, our programme of events has had to be changed slightly.
▪ agenda a list of the subjects that will be discussed at a meeting:
Have you got a copy of the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting?
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the next item on the agenda
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The fuel crisis will be at the top of the agenda for today’s board meeting.
▪ index an alphabetical list of names and subjects at the back of a book, that shows which page they are mentioned on:
It’s a lot quicker if you use the index.
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I looked up his name in the index.
▪ inventory a list of everything in a house, factory, or shop, written so that you know exactly what is there:
Some of the things in the shop were not listed in the inventory.
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The company keeps a full inventory of its equipment.
| make an inventory :
She made an inventory of everything in the apartment.
II. index 2 AC BrE AmE verb [transitive , usually passive]
1 . if documents, information etc are indexed, an index is made for them:
The reports are indexed by subject and location.
2 . to arrange for the level of wages, ↑ pension s etc to increase or decrease according to the level of prices
index to British English :
demands that wages be indexed to the rise in prices
index for American English :
an amount indexed for inflation
—indexation /ˌɪndekˈseɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable and countable]