index

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈɪn.dɛks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈin.deks]^[1]

Forms

index m or f (genitive indicis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from indicō “to point out”, with the ending of iūdex.^[2] De Vaan treats it with dīcō, from Proto-Indo-European *deiḱ- (“to show”), and considers it formed by analogy with indicāre.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Accius, in a tragedy, calls the dawn the sign of burning rays.^[2] Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Of persons it was one who points out or reveals, an informer, spy or guide, as when Cicero's informer brings news that a son is alive.^[2][5] Of things it was a sign or token, as Cicero calls the eyes the index of the mind, and the forefinger, index digitus.^[2][6] With books it was a title or the label bearing it, a summary, and a list or catalogue, as Cicero's list of tragic poets.^[2] The OLD notes it is feminine in Ovid and Valerius Maximus.^[2]

In medieval Latin it could be a bell.^[7] English index is recorded in the late 14th century as the forefinger.^[8]

Timeline

• 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of a sign.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of informers, the forefinger and lists of authors.^[2][6][4]
• late 14th century – English index is recorded.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. One who points out; an informer, spy; a guide.^[2][1]
2. A sign, token, indication.^[2][1]
3. The forefinger.^[6][1]
4. The title of a book.^[2][1]
5. A summary, digest.^[2]
6. A list, catalogue, index.^[2][1]
7. (Medieval Latin) A bell.^[7]

Word family

• indicium
• indiculum
• indicīna

Related words

• indicābilis
• indicātiō
• indicātīvus
• indicātor
• indicātūra
• indicō
• dīcō
• English index

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com