I. ə̇nˈdenchə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English endenture, indenture, from Middle French endenture, from Old French, from endenter to indent (a document) + -ure — more at indent I
1.
a.
(1) : a document (as a deed or contract) or a section of a document that is indented (sense 1a)
(2) : a document (as a deed or contract) or a copy of a document that is not indented (sense 1a) but that is usually formal and under seal and executed in two or more copies
(3) : a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time (as an apprentice for a master craftsman or a new immigrant for an established colonist) — usually used in plural
b. : a document (as an inventory, voucher) that is not indented (sense 1a) and that may or may not be executed in two or more copies and that is formal or official and authenticated and prepared for purposes of control
2. obsolete : a zigzag course (as of one running)
3. : indentation 1
4.
[ indent (III) + -ure ]
: indentation 3
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to bind (as an apprentice) by indentures
2. archaic : to make an indentation (sense 3) in