in·dex (?n?d?ks?)n. pl. in·dex·es or in·di·ces (-d?-s?z?) 1. Something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference, especially:a. An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned.b. A thumb index.c. A table, file, or catalog.d. Computers A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information.2. Something that reveals or indicates; a sign: “Her face … was a fair index to her disposition” (Samuel Butler).3. A character (?) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called hand.4. An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument.5. a. Mathematics A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.b. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.6. a. A statistical value that represents the price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantities in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time.b. A number that represents the change in price or value of stocks or other securities in a particular market, sector, or asset class.c. The stocks or other securities represented by an index.7. Index Roman Catholic Church A list formerly published by Church authority, restricting or forbidding the reading of certain books.tr.v. in·dexed, in·dex·ing, in·dex·es 1. a. To furnish with an index: index a book.b. To enter in an index.2. To indicate or signal.3. To adjust through indexation.[Middle English, forefinger, from Latin; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]in?dex?er n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.index (??nd?ks) n, pl -dexes or -dices (-d??si?z) 1. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) an alphabetical list of persons, places, subjects, etc, mentioned in the text of a printed work, usually at the back, and indicating where in the work they are referred to2. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) See thumb index3. (Library Science & Bibliography) library science a systematic list of book titles or author’s names, giving cross-references and the location of each book; catalogue4. an indication, sign, or token5. a pointer, needle, or other indicator, as on an instrument6. (Mathematics) maths a. another name for exponent4b. a number or variable placed as a superscript to the left of a radical sign indicating by its value the root to be extracted, as in 3?8 = 2c. a subscript or superscript to the right of a variable to express a set of variables, as in using xi for x1, x2, x3, etc7. (Statistics) a numerical scale by means of which variables, such as levels of the cost of living, can be compared with each other or with some base number8. (Mathematics) a number or ratio indicating a specific characteristic, property, etc: refractive index. 9. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Also called: fist a printer’s mark (?) used to indicate notes, paragraphs, etc10. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) obsolete a table of contents or prefacevb (tr) 11. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) to put an index in (a book)12. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) to enter (a word, item, etc) in an index13. to point out; indicate14. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to index-link15. (Mechanical Engineering) to move (a machine or a workpiece held in a machine tool) so that one particular operation will be repeated at certain defined intervals[C16: from Latin: pointer, hence forefinger, title, index, from indic?re to disclose, show; see indicate] ?indexer n ?indexless adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014in?dex (??n d?ks) n., pl. -dex?es, -di?ces (-d??siz) v. n. 1. (in a printed work) an alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with the numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed. 2. a sequential arrangement of material, esp. in alphabetical or numerical order. 3. something used or serving to point out; indication: a true index of his character. 4. a pointer or indicator, as in a scientific instrument. 5. Also called fist, fistnote. a printed sign in the shape of a hand with extended index finger, used to point out a note or paragraph. 6. a number or formula expressing a property or ratio: index of growth; index of intelligence. 7. Math. a. exponent (def. 3). b. the integer n in a radical n^(1/2) defining the n-th root: 7^(1/3) is a radical having index three. c. a subscript or superscript indicating the position of an object in a series of similar objects, as the subscripts 1, 2, and 3 in the series x1, x2, x3. 8. (usu. cap.) any list of forbidden or otherwise restricted material deemed morally or politically harmful by authorities. v.t. 9. to provide with an index. 10. to enter in an index. 11. to serve to indicate. 12. to adjust, as wages. [1350?1400; Middle English