index term

plural index terms

1. computingA term associated with particular documents in an index used for document retrieval; typically, a term that captures the essential meaning of a document.

   If the indexing is being performed automatically, by an algorithm, there is consistency in the index term selection process.

   1997, Gerald J. Kowalski, Information Retrieval Systems: Theory and Implementation, →ISBN, pages 55–56

   2 more examples

   This includes a term dictionary that provides for each allowable index term a pointer giving the addresses of the document lists in the term index for the corresponding term; […]

   1988, Gerard Salton, “Computer-Based Text Retrieval”, in Allen Kent, James G. Williams, editors, Encyclopedia of Microcomputers, volume 3, →ISBN, page 89

   If a message discusses Labrador retrievers but the index term is ‘dogs’, the term is generic rather than specific. This will mean that a person desiring documents on Labrador retrievers must search for ‘dogs’ and then examine many irrelevant documents or document surrogates.

   2003, James D. Anderson, “Organization of Knowledge”, in John Feather, Peter Sturges, editors, International Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science, 2nd edition, →ISBN, page 481

   Synonyms: descriptor