index

A list, usually at the end of a book, showing where to find particular subjects or words.

• Check the index for her name.
• The index lists every place mentioned in the book.
• Both books have detailed indexes.

How to use it: an index of something (The book includes an index of names.)

Common phrases: book index, alphabetical index, index entry

A number showing how prices, wages, or similar amounts change over time.

• The price index rose again.
• The stock index fell by twenty points.
• This index tracks changes in wages.

Similar words: indicator

Common phrases: price index, stock index, consumer price index, market index

The number of distinct sets formed by shifting a smaller group within a mathematical group.

• This subgroup has index two.
• The index equals the number of cosets.
• Can this subgroup have an infinite index?

How to use it: the index of A in B (The index of this subgroup in the larger group is two.)

Common phrases: subgroup index, finite index, index of something

To make a list of subjects or words so people can find them in a text or collection.

• She will index the book.
• The archive indexed every document.
• Have you indexed the names yet?

Similar words: catalogue, list

Common phrases: index a book, index something alphabetically, index a document, index a text

To make payments or amounts change with prices, so they keep the same buying power.

• The government indexes pensions to inflation.
• Are these payments indexed to prices?
• They indexed wages to protect workers from rising costs.

How to use it: index something to something (They index pensions to inflation.)

Similar words: adjust for inflation

Common phrases: index wages, index to inflation, index a pension