indicator meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

indicator

noun

UK /ˈɪn.dɪˌkeɪ.tə(ɹ)/

Etymology From Late Latin indicātor (“one who points out”), from Latin indicō (“point out”). By surface analysis, indicate + -or; see indicate.

9 senses

1A pointer or index that indicates something.
2A meter or gauge.
3The needle or dial on such a meter.
4Any of many substances, such as litmus, used to indicate…
5A plant or animal whose presence is indicative of some…
6A measure, such as unemployment rate, which can be used…
7A turn signal; each of the flashing lights on each side…
8A bird, the honeyguide.
9A codeword that marks the use of a specific cryptic device.

A pointer or index that indicates something.

The visual indicators are a decided improvement, and have reduced the telephoning by the staff in the signalbox.1954 November, “Train Arrival Indicators at Euston”, in Railway Magazine, page 738:
These old indicators [at Earl's Court station] show the destination of the next train by the appearance of an illuminated arrow next to the station name. The arrow may indicate that a train is going to Wimbledon, but it gives no clue as to when. Now, however, the indicators are supplemented by dot matrix panels that not only say where but also when. Why aren't the old ones removed? Because they, like the whole station, are Grade II listed.2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 79:

1 more example

The phrase was, and remains, a double-edged sword: a testament to the hard-working and hard-living citizens of the Crescent City and an indicator of the “ah, whatever” shrug hanging over its corrupt politics, its ramshackle infrastructure and its belief that partying trumps all.2015 August 12, Todd Leopold, “Return to the ‘City That Care Forgot’”, in CNN, archived from the original on 02 Jan 2022:

A meter or gauge.

The needle or dial on such a meter.

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Any of many substances, such as litmus, used to indicate the concentration of a substance, or the degree of a reaction.

Biology, Ecology, Natural sciences A plant or animal whose presence is indicative of some specific environment.

Economics, Sciences A measure, such as unemployment rate, which can be used to predict economic trends.

Automotive, Transport, Vehicles Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK A turn signal; each of the flashing lights on each side of a vehicle which indicate a turn is being made to left or right, or a lane change etc.

A bird, the honeyguide.

A codeword that marks the use of a specific cryptic device.

'Wild' is an anagram indicator showing that the letters of 'danger' have to be rearranged.2011 December 9, Collins, Crossword Secrets (Collins Little Book), HarperCollins UK, →ISBN, page 6:
We surrounded the strike, Snowy (5) Snowy is the definition in this clue. Ignore the punctuation and capital letter of Snowy! Surrounded is the container indicator.2012 October 15, Denise Sutherland, Solving Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 46:

1 more example

We have already mentioned 'in' having multiple uses; 'round' or 'around' might be a container indicator or a reversal indicator; 'without' might be a container indicator or a deletion indicator, and so on.2020 August 20, Telegraph Media Group Ltd, The Telegraph: How To Solve a Cryptic Crossword: Mastering cryptic crosswords made easy, Hachette UK, →ISBN, page 23: