Inflected forms: indi·cat·ed, indi·cat·ing, indi·cates 1. To show the way to or the direction of; point out: an arrow indicating north; indicated the right road by nodding toward it.2. To serve as a sign, symptom, or token of; signify: “The cracking and booming of the ice indicate a change of temperature” (Henry David Thoreau). 3. To suggest or demonstrate the necessity, expedience, or advisability of: The symptoms indicate immediate surgery.4. To state or express briefly: indicated his wishes in a letter; indicating her approval with a nod.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin indicre, indict-, to show, from index, forefinger, indicator. See deik- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
indi·ca·tory (-k-tôr, -tr) —ADJECTIVE
SYNONYMS:
indicate, argue, attest, bespeak, betoken, testify, witness These verbs mean to give grounds for supposing or inferring the existence or presence of something: a fever indicating illness; a shabby house that argues poverty; paintings that attest the artist's genius; disorder that bespeaks negligence; melting snows that betoken spring floods; a comment testifying ignorance; a stunned silence that witnessed his shock.
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