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indent

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅dent

1  [v. in-dent; n. in-dent, in-dent]
Use indent in a Sentence
–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)
9. to form a recess.
10. Chiefly British. to make out an order or requisition in duplicate.
11. Obsolete.
a. to draw upon a person or thing for something.
b. to enter into an agreement by indenture; make a compact.
–noun
12. a toothlike notch or deep recess; indentation.
13. an indention.
14. an indenture.
15. 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.
16. British. a requisition for stores.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME; back formation from indented having toothlike notches, ME < ML indentātus, equiv. to L in- in- 2 + dentātus dentate; see -ed 2

Related forms:
in⋅dent⋅er, in⋅den⋅tor, noun

in⋅dent

2  [v. in-dent; n. 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
3. a dent.
Origin:
1300–50; ME; see in- 2 , dent 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To indent
in·dent 1   (ĭn-děnt')   
v.   in·dent·ed, in·dent·ing, in·dents

v.   tr.

  1. To set (the first line of a paragraph, for example) in from the margin.

    1. To cut or tear (a document with two or more copies) along an irregular line so that the parts can later be matched for establishing authenticity.

    2. To draw up (a document) in duplicate or triplicate.

    3. To notch or serrate the edge of; make jagged.

    4. To make notches, grooves, or holes in (wood, for example) for the purpose of mortising.

    5. To fit or join together by or as if by mortising.

    1. To notch or serrate the edge of; make jagged.

    2. To make notches, grooves, or holes in (wood, for example) for the purpose of mortising.

    3. To fit or join together by or as if by mortising.

  4. Chiefly British To order (goods) by purchase order or official requisition.

v.   intr.

  1. To make or form an indentation.

  2. Chiefly British To draw up or order an indent.

n.   (ĭn-děnt', ĭn'děnt')

  1. The act of indenting or the condition of being indented.

  2. A blank space before the beginning of an indented line: a two-pica indent.

  3. An indenture.

  4. A U.S. certificate issued at the close of the American Revolution for interest due on the public debt.

  5. Chiefly British An official requisition or purchase order for goods.


[Middle English endenten, to notch, from Anglo-Norman and Old French endenter, both from Medieval Latin indentāre : Latin in-, in; see in-2 + Latin dēns, dent-, tooth; see dent- in Indo-European roots.]
in·dent 2   (ĭn-děnt')   
tr.v.   in·dent·ed, in·dent·ing, in·dents
To impress (a design, for example); stamp.
n.   (ĭn-děnt', ĭn'děnt')
An indentation.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

indent  (v.)
1385, from O.Fr. endenter "to notch or dent, give a serrated edge to," from L.L. indentare "to crunch," from L. in- "in" + dens (gen. dentis) "tooth" (see tooth). The printing sense is first attested 1676. The noun is first recorded 1596 from the verb. Extended form indentation first recorded 1728. Indenture "contract for services" first recorded 1304, from Anglo-Fr. endenture, from O.Fr. endenteure "indentation," from endenter. Such contracts (especially between master craftsmen and apprentices) were written in full identical versions on a sheet of parchment, which was then cut apart in a zigzag, or "notched" line. Each party took one, and the genuineness of a document of indenture could be proved by juxtaposition with its counterpart.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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