card index

a file or catalog consisting of cards on which information has been entered so that desired items or data can be readily found.

Origin of card index

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

None in his senses, I say, would emit such sophistries, for Christmas is a law unto itself and is not conducted by card-index.

Mince PieAuthor: Christopher Darlington MorleyRelease Date: October 10, 2004 [eBook #13694] |Christopher Darlington Morley
First of all he procured a card-index box capable of holding about a thousand cards.

The Book-Hunter at Home |P. B. M. Allan
The collector will also find it convenient to catalogue the books in his cases, preferably by means of a card-index system.

Book Repair and Restoration |Mitchell Buck
In this particular case the system was designed by a card-index manufacturer to create a market for card files.

Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1 |Various

Here, let me give you my time-guide for baking, and you can keep it in your card-index.

A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband |Louise Bennett Weaver

card index

an index in which each item is separately listed on systematically arranged cards

(tr) to make such an index of (a book)