Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
in·den·turePronunciation:
in-'den-ch&rFunction:
nounEtymology: Old French
endenture an indented document, from
endenter to indent (divide a document into sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication), from
en- thoroughly +
dent tooth
1 : a document stating the terms under which a security (as a debenture or other bond) is issued;
specifically in bankruptcy law : a document (as a mortgage or deed of trust) under which there is outstanding security constituting a claim against a debtor, a claim secured by a lien on any of the debtor's property, or an equity security of the debtor
2 : a deed or other document to which two or more parties (as both grantor and grantee) are bound