indent1

[v. in-dent; n. in-dent, in-dent] /v. ɪnˈdɛnt; n. ˈɪn dɛnt, ɪnˈdɛnt/
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.
  1. to draw upon a person or thing for something.
  2. 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; Middle English; back formation from indented having toothlike notches, Middle English < Medieval Latin indentātus, equivalent to Latin in- in-2 + dentātus dentate; see -ed2
Related forms
indenter, indentor, noun

indent2

[v. in-dent; n. in-dent, in-dent] /v. ɪnˈdɛnt; n. ˈɪn dɛnt, ɪnˈdɛnt/
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; Middle English; see in-2, dent1
Examples from the web for indent
  • indent new paragraphs instead of putting space between paragraphs.
  • Place cookie cutters on the foam and press to indent the foam.
  • Probe it until it fails or measure a indent depth somehow.
  • Viewed from the rear, the license plate indent is clean, unlike many others.
British Dictionary definitions for indent

indent1

verb (mainly transitive) (ɪnˈdɛnt)
1.
to place (written or printed matter, etc) in from the margin, as at the beginning of a paragraph
2.
to cut or tear (a document, esp a contract or deed in duplicate) so that the irregular lines may be matched to confirm its authenticity
3.
(mainly Brit) (in foreign trade) to place an order for (foreign goods), usually through an agent
4.
(mainly Brit) when intr, foll by for, on, or upon. to make an order on (a source or supply) or for (something)
5.
to notch (an edge, border, etc); make jagged
6.
to bind (an apprentice, etc) by indenture
noun (ˈɪnˌdɛnt)
7.
(mainly Brit) (in foreign trade) an order for foreign merchandise, esp one placed with an agent
8.
(mainly Brit) an official order for goods
9.
(in the late 18th-century US) a certificate issued by federal and state governments for the principal or interest due on the public debt
10.
another word for indenture
11.
another word for indentation (sense 4)
Derived Forms
indenter, indentor, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French endenter, from en-1 + dent tooth, from Latin dēns

indent2

verb (ɪnˈdɛnt)
1.
(transitive) to make a dent or depression in
noun (ˈɪnˌdɛnt)
2.
a dent or depression
Word Origin
C15: from in-² + dent1
Word Origin and History for indent
v.

early 15c., indenten/endenten "to make notches; to give (something) a toothed or jagged appearance," also "to make a legal indenture," from Old French endenter "to notch or dent, give a serrated edge to," from Medieval Latin indentare "to furnish with teeth," from in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + Latin dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (see tooth). Related: Indented; indenting. The printing sense is first attested 1670s. The noun is first recorded 1590s, from the verb. An earlier noun sense of "a written agreement" (late 15c.) is described in Middle English Dictionary as "scribal abbrev. of endenture."

indent in Technology


indentation