in·di·cate
(ĭńdĭ-kāt́)
[Latin indicāre, indicāt-, to show, from index, forefinger, indicator.]
transitive verb: -cat·ed, -cat·ing, -cates.
- To show the way to or the direction of; point out: an arrow indicating north; indicated the right road by nodding toward it.
- 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)
- To suggest or demonstrate the necessity, expedience, or advisability of: The symptoms indicate immediate surgery.
- To state or express briefly: indicated his wishes in a letter; indicating her approval with a nod.
derivatives
- ińdi·ca·tóry
- 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.
