Indication
/ˌɪn.dɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/noun
A sign, signal, or piece of evidence that points toward a particular fact, condition, or action.
Did you know?Indication ultimately belongs to the same ancient word family as index, whose original Latin sense was a pointing finger or pointer—making signs literally connected to pointing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deyk-
“To point out, show, or indicate”
Ancient Greek
Greek
deiknymi
“I show, point out, or demonstrate”
Classical Latin
Latin
indicare
“To point out, disclose, or make known”
Late Latin
Latin
indicatio
“A pointing out, declaration, or sign”
14th Century
Middle English
indicacioun
“A sign, token, or statement that points to something”
Modern English
English
indication
“A sign or evidence pointing toward a fact or condition”