I. ə̇nˈdent verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English indenten, endenten, from Middle French endenter, from Old French, from en- en- (I) + dent tooth, from Latin dent-, dens — more at tooth
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cut or otherwise divide (a sheet of parchment or paper carrying two or more copies especially of a deed or contract) so that sections having one or more edges with angular projections or a scalloped or curved outline are produced, each section being later fitted if necessary to the section having an exactly tallying edge as proof that the sections are parts of an original authentic document
an indented deed
b. : to draw up (as a deed or contract) in two or more exactly corresponding copies
indenting the agreement
2.
a.
(1) : to cut into or notch the edge of in such a way as to produce a scalloped outline or one with angular projections
an indented stick
(2) : to cut into (as a board) for the purpose of mortising or dovetailing
b. : to penetrate the edge of in such a way as to produce an outline marked by one or more recesses
the coastline is indented by the sea into a succession of small bays — Han Suyin
3.
a. obsolete : to come to a formal or express agreement about
b. : indenture
indented servants
4. : to set (as a line of a paragraph) in from a left-hand margin or sometimes from a right-hand margin
indenting the first word of a paragraph
indented the column of figures one inch from the right-hand margin
5. : to join together (as two boards) by or as if by mortises or dovetails
6. chiefly Britain : to order by an indent
indented guns and ammunition
indenting books
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to make a formal or express agreement
thus would I have ecclesiastical and civil historians indent about the bounds and limits of their subjects — Thomas Fuller
2. obsolete : to wind in and out : zigzag
3. : to form an indentation
the long line of coast with its series of indenting bays — American Guide Series: New Jersey
4. chiefly Britain : to make out an indent for something
indenting for books
•
- indent on
II. ə̇nˈdent, ˈinˌdent noun
( -s )
1.
a. : indenture 1
b. : a certificate of indebtedness (as of interest on the public debt) issued by the federal or a state government in the late 18th or early 19th century
2. chiefly Britain
a. : an official requisition (as for supplies)
b. : a purchase order for goods especially when sent from a foreign country
3. : indention
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English endenten, from en- (I) + denten to dent — more at dent
transitive verb
1. : to force inward (as by striking or pressing) so as to form a depression (as a dent or hollow)
indenting a pattern in a metal surface
2. : to form a depression (as a dent or hollow) in the surface of by or as if by striking or pressing
indenting the pillow with his head
: make an indentation in
wore tight-fitting pince-nez which indented the sides of his nose in two red grooves — O.S.J.Gogarty
intransitive verb
: dent
this asphalt indents easily
IV. noun
( -s )
: indentation
the damp grass was everywhere marked with the indents of his sharp hooves — Llewelyn Powys