n.
Pronunciation: ' in- ˌ deks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural in · dex · es or in · di · ces \ -d ə - ˌ s ē z \
Etymology: Latin indic-, index, from indicare to indicate
Date: 1561
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 usually 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 usually published periodically d : a list of publicly traded companies and their stock prices
3 : a list of restricted or prohibited material specifically capitalized : a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
4 plural usually 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 <3 is the index of the expression ∛ 5 to indicate the cube root of 5>
5 : a character 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 specifically : INDEX NUMBER b : the ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to another dimension