Index, an explaining preface or prologue to a book or play: “I'll sort occasion, as i. to the story we late talked of, to part the queen's proud kindred from the king,” R3 II, 2, 149. “the flattering i. of a direful pageant,” IV, 4, 85 (pageants, or dumb shows, were perhaps introduced and explained by painted emblems). “in such --es, although small pricks to their subsequent volumes, there is seen the baby figure of the giant mass of things to come at large,” Troil. I, 3, 343. “what act, that roars so loud and thunders in the i.?” Hml. III, 4, 52. “an i. and obscure prologue to the history of lust,” Oth. II, 1, 263.