Index \In"dex\, n.; pl. E. Indexes, L. Indices(?). [L.: cf. F. index. See Indicate, Diction.]

1. That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses.

Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of plants. --Arbuthnot.

2. That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument. In printing, a sign [[hand]] used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph; -- called also fist.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fist \Fist\, n. [OE. fist, fust, AS. f?st; akin to D. vuist, OHG. f?st, G. faust, and prob. to L. pugnus, Gr. ? fist, ? with the fist. Cf. Pugnacious, Pigmy.]

1. The hand with the fingers doubled into the palm; the closed hand, especially as clinched tightly for the purpose of striking a blow.

Who grasp the earth and heaven with my fist. --Herbert.

2. The talons of a bird of prey. [Obs.]

More light than culver in the falcon's fist. --Spenser.

3. (print.) the index mark [[hand]], used to direct special attention to the passage which follows.

Hand over fist (Naut.), rapidly; hand over hand.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fist \Fist\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Fisting.]

1. To strike with the fist. --Dryden.

2. To gripe with the fist. [Obs.]

--Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)