'Indicator' definitions:

Definition of 'indicator'

From: WordNet
noun
A number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time [syn: index, index number, indicant, indicator]
noun
A signal for attracting attention
noun
A device for showing the operating condition of some system
noun
(chemistry) a substance that changes color to indicate the presence of some ion or substance; can be used to indicate the completion of a chemical reaction or (in medicine) to test for a particular reaction

Definition of 'Indicator'

From: GCIDE
  • Indicator \In"di*ca`tor\ ([i^]n"d[i^]*k[=a]`t[~e]r), n. [L.: cf. F. indicateur.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. One who, or that which, shows or points out; as, a fare indicator in a street car. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Mach.) A pressure gauge; a water gauge, as for a steam boiler; an apparatus or instrument for showing the working of a machine or moving part; as: (a) (Steam Engine) An instrument which draws a diagram showing the varying pressure in the cylinder of an engine or pump at every point of the stroke. It consists of a small cylinder communicating with the engine cylinder and fitted with a piston which the varying pressure drives upward more or less against the resistance of a spring. A lever imparts motion to a pencil which traces the diagram on a card wrapped around a vertical drum which is turned back and forth by a string connected with the piston rod of the engine. See Indicator card (below). (b) A telltale connected with a hoisting machine, to show, at the surface, the position of the cage in the shaft of a mine, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Mech.) The part of an instrument by which an effect is indicated, as an index or pointer. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Zool.) Any bird of the genus Indicator and allied genera. See Honey guide, under Honey. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Chem.) That which indicates the condition of acidity, alkalinity, or the deficiency, excess, or sufficiency of a standard reagent, by causing an appearance, disappearance, or change of color, as in titration or volumetric analysis. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The common indicators are litmus, trop[ae]olin, phenol phthalein, potassic permanganate, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Indicator card, the figure drawn by an engine indicator, by means of which the working of the engine can be investigated and its power calculated. The Illustration shows one form of indicator card, from a steam engine, together with scales by which the pressure of the steam above or below that of the atmosphere, corresponding to any position of the engine piston in its stroke, can be measured. Called also indicator diagram.
  • Indicator telegraph, a telegraph in which the signals are the deflections of a magnetic needle, as in the trans-Atlantic system. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'indicator'

From: GCIDE
  • Honey \Hon"ey\ (h[u^]n"[y^]), n. [OE. honi, huni, AS. hunig; akin to OS. honeg, D. & G. honig, OHG. honag, honang, Icel. hunang, Sw. h[*a]ning, Dan. honning, cf. Gr. ko`nis dust, Skr. ka[.n]a grain.]
  • 1. A sweet viscid fluid, esp. that collected by bees from flowers of plants, and deposited in the cells of the honeycomb. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey. [1913 Webster]
  • The honey of his language. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Honey is often used adjectively or as the first part of compound; as, honeydew or honey dew; honey guide or honeyguide; honey locust or honey-locust. [1913 Webster]
  • Honey ant (Zool.), a small ant (Myrmecocystus melliger), found in the Southwestern United States, and in Mexico, living in subterranean formicares. There are larger and smaller ordinary workers, and others, which serve as receptacles or cells for the storage of honey, their abdomens becoming distended to the size of a currant. These, in times of scarcity, regurgitate the honey and feed the rest.
  • Honey badger (Zool.), the ratel.
  • Honey bear. (Zool.) See Kinkajou.
  • Honey buzzard (Zool.), a bird related to the kites, of the genus Pernis. The European species is Pernis apivorus; the Indian or crested honey buzzard is {Pernis ptilorhyncha}. They feed upon honey and the larv[ae] of bees. Called also bee hawk, bee kite.
  • Honey guide (Zool.), one of several species of small birds of the family Indicatorid[ae], inhabiting Africa and the East Indies. They have the habit of leading persons to the nests to wild bees. Called also honeybird, and indicator.
  • Honey harvest, the gathering of honey from hives, or the honey which is gathered. --Dryden.
  • Honey kite. (Zool.) See Honey buzzard (above).
  • Honey locust (Bot.), a North American tree ({Gleditschia triacanthos}), armed with thorns, and having long pods with a sweet pulp between the seeds.
  • Honey month. Same as Honeymoon.
  • Honey weasel (Zool.), the ratel. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'indicator'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Indicator'