Legal Definitions - indicium

Indicium is a Latin word that has different meanings in different contexts. In Roman law, it means:

1. The act of providing evidence against an accused.
2. The act of promising recompense for a certain service.
3. A sign or mark; especially, something used as a type of proof.

For example, if someone is accused of stealing, the police may gather indicia, such as fingerprints or witness statements, to prove their guilt. In another context, a company may offer indicia, such as a bonus or promotion, to incentivize employees to work harder. Finally, in cryptography, an indicium may be a code or symbol used to authenticate a message or document.