INDEX

index, index finger, forefinger

(noun) the finger next to the thumb

index

(noun) an alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed

index, index number, indicant, indicator

(noun) a number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time

exponent, power, index

(noun) a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself

index

(noun) a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number

index

(verb) adjust through indexation; “The government indexes wages and prices”

index

(verb) provide with an index; “index the book”

index

(verb) list in an index

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

index (plural indexes or indices)

An alphabetical listing of items and their location.

The index finger; the forefinger.

Synonym: Thesaurus:index finger

A movable finger on a gauge, scale, etc.

(typography) A symbol resembling a pointing hand, used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph.

Synonym: manicule

That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses.

A sign; an indication; a token.

(linguistics) A type of noun where the meaning of the form changes with respect to the context. E.g, 'Today's newspaper' is an indexical form since its referent will differ depending on the context. See also icon and symbol.

(economics) A single number calculated from an array of prices or of quantities.

(science) A number representing a property or ratio, a coefficient.

(mathematics) A raised suffix indicating a power.

(computing, especially, programming and databases) An integer or other key indicating the location of data e.g. within an array, vector, database table, associative array, or hash table.

(computing, databases) A data structure that improves the performance of operations on a table.

(obsolete) A prologue indicating what follows.

Verb

index (third-person singular simple present indexes, present participle indexing, simple past and past participle indexed)

(transitive) To arrange an index for something, especially a long text.

To inventory, to take stock.

(chiefly, economics) To normalise in order to account for inflation; to correct for inflation by linking to a price index in order to maintain real levels.

(linguistics, transitive) To be indexical for (some situation or state of affairs); to indicate.

(computing) To access a value in a data container by an index.

Anagrams

• nixed, xenid

Proper noun

Index

An unincorporated community in Miller County, Arkansas.

An unincorporated community in Morgan County, Kentucky.

A ghost town in Cass County, Missouri.

A small hamlet in Otsego County, New York.

An unincorporated community in King George County, Virginia.

A town in Snohomish County, Washington.

An unincorporated community in Gilmer County, West Virginia.

Anagrams

• nixed, xenid

Source: Wiktionary


In"dex, n.; pl. E. Indexes, L. Indices(. Etym: [L.: cf. F. index. See Indicate, Diction.]

1. That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses. Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of plants. Arbuthnot.

2. That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument. In printing, a sign [*] used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph; -- called also fist.

3. A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book; -- usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume.

4. A prologue indicating what follows. [Obs.] Shak.

5. (Anat.)

Definition: The second digit, that next pollex, in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger.

6. (Math.)

Definition: The figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent. [In this sense the plural is always indices.] Index error, the error in the reading of a mathematical instrument arising from the zero of the index not being in complete adjustment with that of the limb, or with its theoretically perfect position in the instrument; a correction to be applied to the instrument readings equal to the error of the zero adjustment.

– Index expurgatorius. Etym: [L.] See Index prohibitorius (below).

– Index finger. See Index, 5.

– Index glass, the mirror on the index of a quadrant, sextant, etc.

– Index hand, the pointer or hand of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; a hand that points to something.

– Index of a logarithm (Math.), the integral part of the logarithm, and always one less than the number of integral figures in the given number. It is also called the characteristic.

– Index of refraction, or Refractive index (Opt.), the number which expresses the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction. Thus the index of refraction for sulphur is 2, because, when light passes out of air into sulphur, the sine of the angle of incidence is double the sine of the angle of refraction.

– Index plate, a graduated circular plate, or one with circular rows of holes differently spaced; used in machines for graduating circles, cutting gear teeth, etc.

– Index prohibitorius Etym: [L.], or Prohibitory index (R. C. Ch.), a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; the index expurgatorius Etym: [L.], or expurgatory index, is a catalogue of books from which passages marked as against faith or morals must be removed before Catholics can read them. These catalogues are published with additions, from time to time, by the Congregation of the Index, composed of cardinals, theologians, etc., under the sanction of the pope. Hook.

– Index rerum Etym: [L.], a tabulated and alphabetized notebook, for systematic preservation of items, quotations, etc.

In"dex, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Indexed; p. pr. & vb. n. Indexing.]

Definition: To provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

29 March 2024

FAULTFINDING

(adjective) tending to make moral judgments or judgments based on personal opinions; “a counselor tries not to be faultfinding”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

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