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.
[Latin indicāre, indicāt-, to show, from index, forefinger, indicator; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]
in′di·ca·to′ry(-kə-tôr′ē) adj.
Synonyms: indicate, attest, bespeak, betoken These verbs mean to give grounds for supposing or inferring the existence or presence of something: a fever indicating illness; paintings that attest the artist's genius; disorder that bespeaks negligence; melting snows that betoken spring floods.
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