indices

A librarian checks the book indices to locate a specific title.

Definition

Noun (plural of ):
- Alphabetical lists: "indices" refers to alphabetical lists of names, subjects, or topics at the end of a book, with page numbers where they are mentioned.
- Indicators or signs: "indices" also means signs or measures that indicate the presence or level of something, such as economic or statistical data.
- Mathematical exponents: In mathematics, "indices" are the plural of index, meaning the small raised numbers that indicate how many times a number is multiplied by itself (e.g., in 2³, 3 is an index).

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

"indices of growth": measurable signs of development or expansion.
- The company's sales indices show a steady increase over the past year. (Measurable indicators of growth.)
"stock market indices": specific lists of stocks that represent the performance of a market segment.
- The Dow Jones and S&P 500 are well-known stock market indices. (Benchmark lists for financial markets.)

Variants and Related Words

Index (n, singular): a single alphabetical list, indicator, or exponent.
- Please check the index for the page number on photosynthesis. (A single list.)
Indexical (adj): relating to or serving as an index.
- The indexical signs in the data point to a trend. (Indicative or pointing to something.)

Synonyms

Indicators: signs or measures that show the state or level of something.
Catalogues: systematic lists of items, often with descriptions or references.
Exponents (mathematical): the plural form is synonymous with in mathematics.

Phrasal Verbs (none directly applicable)

Related Idioms

"to be in the indices": to be included in a reference list or statistical measure (rare, but used technically).
- This stock is now in the major market indices. (Included in the benchmark list.)
"indices of change": signs that indicate a shift or transformation.
- The rising temperatures are indices of climate change. (Measurable signs of change.)