indent

¹

[ verb in-dent; noun in-dent, in-dent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to form deep recesses in:

   The sea indents the coast.

2. to set in or back from the margin, as the first line of a paragraph.
3. to sever (a document drawn up in duplicate) along an irregular line as a means of identification.
4. to cut or tear the edge of (copies of a document) in an irregular way.
5. to make toothlike notches in; notch.
6. to indenture, as an apprentice.
7. British. to draw an order upon.
8. Chiefly British. to order, as commodities.

verb (used without object)

1. to form a recess.
2. Chiefly British. to make out an order or requisition in duplicate.
3. Obsolete.
   1. to draw upon a person or thing for something.
   2. to enter into an agreement by indenture; make a compact.

noun

1. a toothlike notch or deep recess; indentation.
2. an indention.
3. an indenture.
4. American History. a certificate issued by a state or the federal government at the close of the Revolutionary War for the principal or interest due on the public debt.
5. British. a requisition for stores.

indent

²

[ verb in-dent; noun in-dent, in-dent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dent; press in so as to form a dent:

   to indent a pattern on metal.

2. to make or form a dent in:

   The wooden stairs had been indented by horses' hooves.

noun

1. a dent.

indent

¹

verb

1. to place (written or printed matter, etc) in from the margin, as at the beginning of a paragraph
2. to cut or tear (a document, esp a contract or deed in duplicate) so that the irregular lines may be matched to confirm its authenticity
3. (in foreign trade) to place an order for (foreign goods), usually through an agent
4. whenintr, foll by for, on, or upon to make an order on (a source or supply) or for (something)
5. to notch (an edge, border, etc); make jagged
6. to bind (an apprentice, etc) by indenture

noun

1. (in foreign trade) an order for foreign merchandise, esp one placed with an agent
2. an official order for goods
3. (in the late 18th-century US) a certificate issued by federal and state governments for the principal or interest due on the public debt
4. another word for indenture
5. another word for indentation

indent

²

verb

1. tr to make a dent or depression in

noun

1. a dent or depression

Derived Forms

• inˈdenter, noun

Other Words From

• in·denter in·dentor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; back formation from indented “having toothlike notches,” past participle of endenten, indenten “to notch, dent, indent,” from Middle French verb endenter and Medieval Latin indentātus, past participle of indentāre “to notch,” equivalent to Latin in- “in” + dent- stem of dens “tooth” + -āre infinitive ending; in- ², dentate, -ed ²

Origin of indent²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; in- ², dent ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of indent¹

C14: from Old French endenter, from en- ¹+ dent tooth, from Latin dēns

Origin of indent²

C15: from in- ² + dent ¹

Example Sentences

His teammate had to help lug his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame to the sideline, Serafin’s leggings revealing the indent of a misplaced bone.

From Los Angeles Times

Cracks spiderweb out from an indent near the sewer grate.

From Literature

Ben slides the Cog along my neck at the top of my spine, until it catches in the indent at the base of my skull.

From Literature

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Bars are done when the curd is darker, jiggles only slightly, and touching it leaves a light indent.

From Seattle Times

It’s got a heavily sculpted design that aims to anticipate exactly where every part of your right hand might want to sit, with a thumb rest on the left to a small indent to give your pinkie finger purchase on the right.

From The Verge