index // noun, verb

■ noun [C]

ALL-SHARE INDEX, ALL-STOCK INDEX, AVERAGE EARNINGS INDEX, CARD INDEX, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, COST-OF-LIVING INDEX, DIFFUSION INDEX, FTSE 100 INDEX, FTSE ALL-SHARE INDEX, MISERY INDEX, PRICE INDEX, PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, SHARE INDEX, STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX, STOCK INDEX, WEIGHTED INDEX

1 (Economics ; Finance ) (plural indices // or indexes, especially in AmE)

a system that shows the level of prices, wages, etc. so that they can be compared with those of a previous day or time:

the cost-of-living index

an index measuring consumer confidence

an index of business activity

In the US, all three major indices-the Dow, the Nasdaq and S&P 500-fell today.

The manufacturing sector index jumped to 4.9 in December.

⇨ SHARE INDEX See note at INCREASE

2 (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.

⇨ INDICATOR

3 (plural indexes) (especially BrE) = CARD INDEX

■ verb [+ obj]

(Economics ; Finance ) (usually be indexed)

to link wages, payments, etc. to the level of prices of particular items, so that they both increase at the same rate:

Salaries are indexed to the rate of inflation.

Interest on the bond is indexed to the price of oil.

• ordinary capital
• ordinary creditor
• ordinary dividend
• ordinary interest
• ordinary resolution
• ordinary share
• organ
• organic
• organigram
• organization
• organizational behaviour
• organizational culture
• organizational development
• organizational learning
• organization and methods
• organization chart
• organization theory
• organize
• organized
• organized labour
• organizer
• organizing business
• -orientated
• orientation
• -oriented