The term “indicate” comes from the Latin word “indicatus,” the past participle of “indicare,” which means “to point out” or “to indicate.” This is derived from the Latin roots “in-” meaning “toward” and “dicare,” meaning “to proclaim” or “to declare.”
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “*deik-” means “to show” or “to point.”
2. Latin
From the PIE root, the Latin word “dicare” developed, meaning “to proclaim” or “to declare.” The verb “indicare” combines “in-” (toward) and “dicare” (to proclaim), meaning “to point out” or “to indicate.”
3. Old French (c. 9th to 14th century CE)
The Latin term “indicare” evolved into Old French “indiquer,” meaning “to indicate” or “to show.”
4. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old French “indiquer” was adopted into Middle English as “indicate,” retaining the meaning of “to point out” or “to show.”
5. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “indicate” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, retaining the meaning of “to point out” or “to show.”
Phonetic Evolution
Over time, the pronunciation of “indicate” has remained relatively stable from Old French to Modern English.
Usage Examples
- “Indicate is often used to describe the act of pointing out or showing something.”
- “Another example of ‘indicate’ in a sentence is ‘The map will indicate the location of the treasure.'”
Cultural or Historical Notes
The development of the word “indicate” was significantly influenced by its use in various contexts, including navigation, science, and everyday language, to describe the act of pointing out or showing something. It has been used to describe physical gestures, signs, and markers, as well as abstract concepts like evidence or suggestions.
The word “indicate” reflects the concept of pointing out or showing, emphasizing the importance of clarity, direction, and evidence in communication and understanding. It underscores the role of indicators in guiding actions, making decisions, and conveying information.