Crossword Genius

Alphabetical lists used in mathematics (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

indices

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'alphabetical lists' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'in mathematics' is the wordplay.
'mathematics' becomes 'dices' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in'+'dices'='INDICES'

'used' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for indices that I've seen before include "Catalogues" , "Mathematical symbols denoting powers" , "Files" , "Indicators; references" , "Mathematical exponents" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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