[dent] 
| 1. | a hollow or depression in a surface, as from a blow. |
| 2. | a noticeable effect, esp. of reduction: to leave a dent in one's savings; a dent in one's pride. |
| 3. | to make a dent in or on; indent: The impact dented the car's fender. |
| 4. | to have the effect of reducing or slightly injuring: The caustic remark dented his ego. |
| 5. | to show dents; become indented: Tin dents more easily than steel. |
| 6. | to sink in, making a dent: Nails dent into metal. |
| 7. | make a dent, Informal. to cause a person to take heed; make an impression: The doctor told him to stop smoking, but it didn't make a dent. |
| 8. | make a dent in, to show initial progress; pass an initial stage of (work, thought, solving a problem, etc.): I haven't even made a dent in this pile of work. |
| dent 1 (děnt) n.
v. tr. To make a dent in. v. intr. To become dented: a fender that dents easily. [Middle English dent, variant of dint, blow, from Old English dynt.] |
