indicator (n.)

  1. 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 ]

  2. a signal for attracting attention

  3. a device for showing the operating condition of some system

  4. (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

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
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