index-n; 5 Senses

Sense Number 1: a pointer or indicator on a scale, dial or other instrument

Commentary: INDEX[+instrument][+indicator]

Examples:
The shadow cast by the index on a sundial tells you what time it is.
The index on this scale is pointing to zero.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a computed value or measure for a set of data

Commentary: INDEX[+quantity][+measurement]

Examples:
The Consumer Price Index rose slightly last month.
Some economists don't think housing starts are a good index of how the economy is doing.
The S&P 500 is a stock index.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: a notation in mathematics

Commentary: INDEX[+symbol][+notation][+mathematical]
NOTE: this usage often occurs in the plural, indices

Examples:
Sum the values for this function with index beginning at i + 1.
The hash function assigns an index to each value in the table.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: written reference in the form of an alphabetical listing

Commentary: INDEX[+document][+reference]

Examples:
I found John's name in the index of this textbook.
We can't build our ontology on the model of a book index.
I taught my child to use several different indexes at the library.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: the finger next to the thumb, forefinger

Commentary: INDEX[+body_part][+finger]

Examples:
Hold the sample carefully between your index and thumb.
The bank clerk really sorts money fast, using her right index.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5