indenture

[ in-den-cher ]

noun

1. a deed or agreement executed in two or more copies with edges correspondingly indented as a means of identification.
2. any deed, written contract, or sealed agreement.
3. a contract by which a person, as an apprentice, is bound to service.
4. any official or formal list, certificate, etc., authenticated for use as a voucher or the like.
5. the formal agreement between a group of bondholders and the debtor as to the terms of the debt.
6. indentation.

verb (used with object)

, in·den·tured, in·den·tur·ing.

1. to bind by indenture, as an apprentice.
2. Archaic. to make a depression in; wrinkle; furrow.

indenture

/ ɪnˈdɛntʃə /

noun

1. any deed, contract, or sealed agreement between two or more parties
2. (formerly) a deed drawn up in duplicate, each part having correspondingly indented edges for identification and security
3. often plural a contract between an apprentice and his master
4. a formal or official list or certificate authenticated for use as a voucher, etc
5. a less common word for indentation

verb

1. intr to enter into an agreement by indenture
2. tr to bind (an apprentice, servant, etc) by indenture
3. obsolete.
   tr to indent or wrinkle

Derived Forms

• inˈdentureˌship, noun

Other Words From

• in·den·ture·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indenture¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; a Middle English word from the Medieval Latin word indentūra; indent ¹, -ure

Example Sentences

In a little over a year, my three-decade indenture as a full-time laundress will come to an end.

From Los Angeles Times

After their period of indenture was over, they were released, if they were still alive.

From Literature

Instead, Said found a Russian to take over his indenture, Nicholas Vassilievich Trubetzkoy, a 22-year-old godson of Czar Nicholas, who taught him Russian.

From Washington Post

Webster imagines her ancestor’s work as a milkmaid, the trial and her ultimate indenture on a plantation in Maryland where Molly met Bana’ka, the enslaved man who became the father of her children.

From Washington Post

Duane Loft, a partner at Pallas Partners who represents the plaintiffs, said: "We're pleased that the court interpreted the indenture to mean what it says - that these new notes don't count for purposes of waving the past default."

From Reuters