index

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (plural indexes) a list of names or topics that are referred to in a book, etc., usually arranged at the end of a book in alphabetical order or listed in a separate file or book: Look it up in the index. * Author and subject indexes are available on a library database. 2 (BrE) = CARDINDEX 3 (plural indexes or indices) a system that shows the level of prices and wages, etc. so that they can be compared with those of a previous date: the cost-of-living index * The Dow Jones index fell 15 points this morning. * stockmarket indices * house price indexes 4 (plural indices) a sign or MEASURE that sth else can be judged by: The number of new houses being built is a good index of a country's prosperity. 5 (usually indices [pl.]) (mathematics) the small number written above a larger number to show how many times that number must be multiplied by itself. In the EQUATION 4 = 16, the number 2 is an index. verb [VN] 1 to make an index of documents, the contents of a book, etc.; to add sth to a list of this type: All publications are indexed by subject and title. * New material is scanned, indexed and stored electronically. 2 [usuallypassive] ~ sth (to sth) to link wages, etc. to the level of prices of food, clothing, etc. so that they both increase at the same rate