Index Meaning
Index Definition & Usage
An alphabetical or systematic listing of items or topics, typically with references or page numbers for easy access.
Examples
- "The book included a comprehensive index at the back for quick reference."
- "Please check the index for more information about the subject of climate change."
- "I had trouble finding the right page, but the index helped me locate the information immediately."
- "The index of the dictionary is well-organized, making it easy to find words."
- "The research paper had an index that listed all the key terms and concepts discussed in the text."
A numerical scale or reference point that represents changes or comparisons, such as a stock market index or economic indicator.
Examples
- "The stock market index dropped by 5% last month."
- "Inflation rates are often measured using the consumer price index (CPI)."
- "The index for the country's GDP growth showed a significant increase this year."
- "Investors often watch the S&P 500 index as a gauge for market performance."
- "The cost of living index has risen sharply over the past decade."
To organize or catalog items, typically in alphabetical or numerical order, to make them easier to find or refer to.
Examples
- "The librarian spent the afternoon indexing the new books for the library catalog."
- "You should index your research notes so you can find relevant sources more easily."
- "The database indexes articles based on keywords and publication dates."
- "I need to index these files before we can submit the report."
- "She indexed all the recipes in the cookbook by ingredient type."
Cultural Context
The word 'index' comes from the Latin word 'index', meaning 'a pointer' or 'a sign'. Over time, it evolved into various uses, both in academic and technical fields. In modern English, the word is associated with tools for organizing and referencing information in books, databases, and statistical measures. Its applications are widespread in both everyday life and professional fields like finance, research, and publishing.
The Index of Time
Story
The Index of Time
In a quiet village nestled between rolling hills, there lived an old historian named Mr. Oliver. He spent his days in a dusty library, meticulously indexing centuries of historical records. Every evening, he would carefully organize his findings, cataloging them by date, event, and person. The villagers often came to him with questions about their ancestors, and Mr. Oliver would turn to his index, swiftly finding the information they sought. One day, a young woman named Clara arrived at the library, seeking answers about a mysterious family heirloom. Mr. Oliver, with his usual calm demeanor, began to index the old records again, but this time, something was different. The heirloom seemed to be connected to a long-lost ancestor, whose name had never appeared in any of Mr. Oliver's previous indexes. As he flipped through the pages, he realized that his traditional method of indexing wasn’t enough to uncover the answers Clara was seeking. Together, they created a new system, one that could index not just names and dates, but emotions and stories. Through this collaboration, Clara discovered her family's secret history, and Mr. Oliver learned that even the most reliable index could hold unexpected mysteries.
Related Words
