indiquent

Indiquent is a rarely attested English word that lacks a fixed meaning in standard dictionaries. It appears mainly as a neologism or in experimental writing, and its sense can vary depending on the author. Because of its tenuous status, many readers may encounter indiquent without an explicit definition.

In one possible sense, indiquent functions as an adjective meaning "indicating" or "serving as an indicator"—for example, "the indiquent signs pointed to a forthcoming policy shift." In another proposed usage, it acts as a noun meaning "an indicator" or "a signal," as in "the indiquents of market stress are mounting." These senses are not established, and authors may assign different nuances.

Etymology is uncertain due to limited attestation. The form appears to be built from the English verb indicate plus the common suffix -ent, or it could be a creative contraction derived from Latin indicare. It is not etymologically related to indigent (meaning poor) or indignant, though the similarity in spelling can cause confusion.

Usage and reception: Because indiquent is not part of standard vocabulary, writers typically accompany it with a definition or context. Readers should treat it as a nonce or experimental term and rely on the author’s stated sense unless it has gained wider acceptance in future scholarship.

See also: indication; indicator; indicate; neologism; jargon.