indenture definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅den⋅ture

[in-den-cher]

noun, verb, -tured, -tur⋅ing.

–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)

7.	to bind by indenture, as an apprentice.

8.	Archaic. to make a depression in; indent; wrinkle; furrow.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME < ML indentūra. See indent ¹ , -ure

Related forms:

in⋅den⋅ture⋅ship, noun

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To indenture

in·den·ture (ĭn-děn'chər)

A contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term. Often used in the plural.
1. A document in duplicate having indented edges.
2. A deed or legal contract executed between two or more parties.
3. An official or authenticated inventory, list, or voucher.
Indentation.

tr.v. in·den·tured, in·den·tur·ing, in·den·tures

To bind into the service of another by indenture.
Archaic To form a small depression in (a surface).

[Middle English endenture, a written agreement, from Anglo-Norman, from endenter, to indent (from the matching notches on multiple copies of the documents); see indent¹.]

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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Indenture

In*den"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. endenture, OF. endenture, LL. indentura a deed in duplicate, with indented edges. See the Note below. See Indent.]

1. The act of indenting, or state of being indented.

2. (Law) A mutual agreement in writing between two or more parties, whereof each party has usually a counterpart or duplicate; sometimes in the pl., a short form for indentures of apprenticeship, the contract by which a youth is bound apprentice to a master.

The law is the best expositor of the gospel; they are like a pair of indentures: they answer in every part. --C. Leslie.

Note: Indentures were originally duplicates, laid together and intended by a notched cut or line, or else written on the same piece of parchment and separated by a notched line so that the two papers or parchments corresponded to each other. But indenting has gradually become a mere form, and is often neglected, while the writings or counterparts retain the name of indentures.

Indenture

In*den"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Indentured; p. pr. & vb. n. Indenturing.]

1. To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to furrow.

Though age may creep on, and indenture the brow. --Woty.

2. To bind by indentures or written contract; as, to indenture an apprentice.

Indenture

In*den"ture\, v. i. To run or wind in and out; to be cut or notched; to indent. --Heywood.

Indenture

A contract between an issuer of bonds and the bondholder stating the time period before repayment, amount of interest paid, if the bond is convertible (and if so, at what price or what ratio), if the bond is callable and the amount of money that is to be repaid.

Investopedia Commentary

The indenture is another name for the bond contract terms, which is also referred to as a deed of trust.

indenture

A legal contract between a bond issuer and its lenders that specifies the terms of the issue. Typical provisions are the amount and dates of interest payments, name of the trustee, maturity date, collateral, restrictions on dividends or other borrowing, and specifics of a sinking fund or potential calls. It is the trustee's job to ensure that the terms of the indenture are fulfilled. Also called bond indenture, trust deed. See also covenant.

Main Entry: in·den·ture
Pronunciation: in-'den-ch&r
Function: noun
Etymology: 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

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