Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·dex       (ĭn'děks')  Pronunciation Key  n.   pl. in·dex·es or in·di·ces (-dĭ-sēz') Something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference, especially: An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned. A thumb index. A table, file, or catalog. Computer Science A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information. 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. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data. Something that reveals or indicates; a sign: "Her face . . . was a fair index to her disposition" (Samuel Butler). A character () used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called fist, hand. An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument. 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. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data. A number that represents the change in price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantity in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time. 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 To furnish with an index: index a book. To enter in an index. To indicate or signal. To adjust through indexation. [Middle English, forefinger, from Latin; see deik- in Indo-European roots.] in'dex'er n.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
index 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

index
noun
1.	a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number
2.	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
3.	a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself [syn: exponent]
4.	an alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed
5.	the finger next to the thumb
verb
1.	list in an index
2.	provide with an index; "index the book"
3.	adjust through indexation; "The government indexes wages and prices"

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
index

An alphabetical list of subjects treated in a book. It usually appears at the end of the book and identifies page numbers on which information about each subject appears.

[Chapter:] Conventions of Written English

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

index in·dex (ĭn'děks')
n. pl. in·dex·es or in·di·ces (-dĭ-sēz')

1. A guide, standard, indicator, symbol, or number indicating the relation of one part or thing to another in respect to size, capacity, or function.
2. A core or mold used to record or maintain the relative position of a tooth or teeth to one another or to a cast.
3. A guide, usually made of plaster, used to reposition teeth, casts, or parts.
4. The index finger.

---

in'dex' v.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·dex
Pronunciation: 'in-"deks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural in·dex·es or in·di·ces /-d&-"sEz/
1 : FOREFINGER
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) <Index Medicus of theU.S. National Library of Medicine>
3 a : a ratio or other number derived from a series of observations and used as an indicator or measure (as of a condition, property, orphenomenon) indexes of the urine, the blood, and the gastric juice —Journal of the American Medical Association> b : the ratio of onedimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to another dimension —see CEPHALIC INDEX, CRANIAL INDEX

Investopedia - Cite This Source - Share This

Index

A statistical measure of change in an economy or a securities market. In the case of financial markets, an index is essentially an imaginary portfolio of securities representing a particular market or a portion of it. Each index has its own calculation methodology and is usually expressed in terms of a change from a base value. Thus, the percentage changes is more important that the actually numeric value. For example, knowing that a stock exchange is at, say, 5,000 doesn't tell you much. However, knowing that the index has risen 30% over the last year to 5,000 gives a much better demonstration of performance.

The plural of index can be spelled either indexes or indices.

Investopedia Commentary

The Standard &amp Poor's 500 is one of the world's best known indexes, and is the most commonly used benchmark for the stock market.

Technically, you can't actually invest in an index. Rather, you invest in a security such as an index fund or ETF that attempts to track an index as closely as possible.

Related Links

Index Investing Tutorial
A Market By Any Other Name
Indexes: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

See also: DAX, DJIA, DJTA, DJUA, E-mini, ETF, FTSE, Index Arbitrage, Index Fund, Index Futures, Index Hugger, Index Option, Passive Management, S&P 500, Wilshire 5000 Index

Also spelled: Index, Indices, Indice

Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This
index

The relative value of a variable in comparison with itself on a different date. Many security price indicators such as the Standard & Poor's series and the New York StockExchange series are constructed as indexes. Also called stock index. See also baseperiod.

Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This
index

To adjust a variable by a selected measure of relative value. For example, it has been proposed that an investor's basis on a security be indexed for changes in consumer pricesso that only real increases in value will be taxed. Also called tax indexing. See also subindex.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·dex
Function: noun
: a numerical measure or indicator (as of inflation or economic performance) —see also CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·dex
Function: noun
: a numerical measure or indicator (as of inflation or economic performance) —see also CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: index
Function: transitive verb
: to link (as wages, rates, or investments) to an index <under the contract wages were indexed to inflation>

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: index
Function: transitive verb
: to link (as wages, rates, or investments) to an index <under the contract wages were indexed to inflation>

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

index
(Plural "indices" or "indexes")
1. A number used to select an element of a list, vector, array or other sequence. Such indices are nearly always non-negative integers but see associative array.
2. See inverted index. [Other kinds?]
3. A search engine.
4. A subject index.
[The Jargon File]
(1997-04-09)

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Index, WA (town, FIPS 33175) Location: 47.82071 N, 121.55239 W
Population (1990): 139 (102 housing units)
Area: 0.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Index

Dic"tion\, n. [L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach, token: cf. F. diction. See Teach, and cf. Benison, Dedicate, Index, Judge, Preach, Vengeance.] Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems.

His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of prophetic grandeur. --De Quincey.

Syn: Diction, Style, Phraseology.

Usage: Style relates both to language and thought; diction, to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the higher graces of composition; his diction was varied and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless and cumbersome. "Diction is a general term applicable alike to a single sentence or a connected composition. Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused disposition of words, or an improper application of them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of composition, which mark the genius and talent of the writer, are what is comprehended under the name of style." --Crabb.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Index

Ex*pur"ga*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. expurgatoire.] Serving to purify from anything noxious or erroneous; cleansing; purifying. "Expurgatory animadversions." --Sir T. Browne.

Expurgatory Index. See Index Expurgatorius, under Index.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Index

In"dex\, n.; pl. E. Indexes, L. Indices(?). [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 [[hand]] 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.) The second digit, that next pollex, in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger.

6. (Math.) 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. [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 [L.], or Prohibitory index (R. C. Ch.), a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; the index expurgatorius [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 [L.], a tabulated and alphabetized notebook, for systematic preservation of items, quotations, etc.

Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This

INDEX

INDEX: in Acronym Finder

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

index

index: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary