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Origin and history of indicator

indicator(n.)

1660s, "that which indicates or points out," from Late Latin indicator, agent noun from indicare "to point out, show" (see indication). As a finger muscle, from 1690s. As a steam-cylinder's pressure gauge, 1839. As a device on a motor vehicle to signal intention to change direction, 1932.

also from 1660s

Entries linking to indicator

indication(n.)

early 15c., "a sign, that which indicates," from Latin indicationem (nominative indicatio) "an indicating; valuation," noun of action from past participle stem of indicare "point out, show," from in- "into, in, on, upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + dicare "proclaim" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly," and see diction).

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    Trends of indicator

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

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    index
    late 14c., "the forefinger," from Latin index (genitive indicis) "one who points out, discloser, discoverer, informer; forefinger (because used in pointing); pointer, sign; title, inscription, list," literally "anything which points out," from indicare "to point out," from in- "i
    speedometer
    Speed indicator also was used. Sometimes mistakenly used of the odometer....
    physiognomy
    judging of a person's nature by his features," from physio- (see physio-) + gnōmōn (genitive gnōmōnos) "a judge, interpreter, indicator...
    gnomon
    time by the shadow it casts" (especially the triangular plate on a sundial), 1540s, from Latin gnomon, from Greek gnōmōn "indicator...
    cynosure
    Apparently in ancient times the whole constellation was used as a rough indicator of the celestial north pole....
    litmus
    Figurative use of litmus test is first attested 1957, from scientific use of litmus-treated paper as a chemical indicator...
    needle
    (on a dial or indicator from 1928); the surgical instrument so called from 1727; phonographic sense from 1902; sense of "...
    protein
    1844, from French protéine, coined 1838 by Dutch chemist Gerhard Johan Mulder (1802-1880), perhaps on suggestion of Berzelius, from Greek prōteios "the first quality," from prōtos "first" (see proto-) + -ine (2). Originally a theoretical substance thought to be a constituent of f
    dial
    early 15c., "sundial, instrument for indicating the hour of the day by means of a shadow thrown upon a graduated surface," earlier "dial of a compass" (mid-14c.), from Old French dyal, apparently from Medieval Latin dialis "daily," from Latin dies "day," from PIE root *dyeu- "to
    signal
    late 14c., "visible sign, indication" (a sense now obsolete), also "a supernatural act of God; a device on a banner," from Old French signal, seignal "seal, imprint, sign, mark," from Medieval Latin signale "a signal," from Late Latin signalis (adj.) "used as a signal, pertaining

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