Search results for 'index':

index noun (indexes or technical indices) 1 an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc dealt with in a book, usually given at the end of that book, and with the page numbers on which each item appears. Compare thumb index. 2 in a library, etc: a catalogue or set of reference cards which lists each book, magazine, etc alphabetically, usually by author or title, and gives details of where it is shelved. 3 anything which points to, identifies or highlights a particular trend or condition. 4 a scale of numbers which shows changes in price, wages, rates of interest, etc • retail price index. 5 math an exponent (sense 3). 6 physics a numerical quantity, usually one lacking units, that indicates the magnitude of a particular physical effect • refractive index. 7 geol a fossil or mineral that characterizes a particular type of rock. 8 (Index) RC Church an official list of prohibited books. 9 printing a fist (noun 4). 10 now rare a hand or pointer on a dial or scale. verb (indexed, indexing) 1 to provide (a book, etc) with an index. 2 to list something in an index. 3 to relate (prices, wages, etc) to an index (see index noun 4 above), so that they may rise or fall accordingly; to make something index-linked.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c; 14c: from Latin, meaning 'informer' or 'forefinger'.

index noun (indexes or technical indices) 1 an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc dealt with in a book, usually given at the end of that book, and with the page numbers on which each item appears. Compare thumb index. 2 in a library, etc: a catalogue or set of reference cards which lists each book, magazine, etc alphabetically, usually by author or title, and gives details of where it is shelved. 3 anything which points to, identifies or highlights a particular trend or condition. 4 a scale of numbers which shows changes in price, wages, rates of interest, etc • retail price index. 5 math an exponent (sense 3). 6 physics a numerical quantity, usually one lacking units, that indicates the magnitude of a particular physical effect • refractive index. 7 geol a fossil or mineral that characterizes a particular type of rock. 8 (Index) RC Church an official list of prohibited books. 9 printing a fist (noun 4). 10 now rare a hand or pointer on a dial or scale. verb (indexed, indexing) 1 to provide (a book, etc) with an index. 2 to list something in an index. 3 to relate (prices, wages, etc) to an index (see index noun 4 above), so that they may rise or fall accordingly; to make something index-linked.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c; 14c: from Latin, meaning 'informer' or 'forefinger'.

index noun (indexes or technical indices) 1 an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc dealt with in a book, usually given at the end of that book, and with the page numbers on which each item appears. Compare thumb index. 2 in a library, etc: a catalogue or set of reference cards which lists each book, magazine, etc alphabetically, usually by author or title, and gives details of where it is shelved. 3 anything which points to, identifies or highlights a particular trend or condition. 4 a scale of numbers which shows changes in price, wages, rates of interest, etc • retail price index. 5 math an exponent (sense 3). 6 physics a numerical quantity, usually one lacking units, that indicates the magnitude of a particular physical effect • refractive index. 7 geol a fossil or mineral that characterizes a particular type of rock. 8 (Index) RC Church an official list of prohibited books. 9 printing a fist (noun 4). 10 now rare a hand or pointer on a dial or scale. verb (indexed, indexing) 1 to provide (a book, etc) with an index. 2 to list something in an index. 3 to relate (prices, wages, etc) to an index (see index noun 4 above), so that they may rise or fall accordingly; to make something index-linked.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c; 14c: from Latin, meaning 'informer' or 'forefinger'.