indenture

• POS: Noun, Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: in=den=ture

CIDE DICTIONARY

indenture, n. [OE. endenture, OF. endenture, LL. indentura a deed in duplicate, with indented edges. See the Note below. See Indent.].

•  The act of indenting, or state of being indented.  [1913 Webster]
•  A mutual agreement in writing between two or more parties, whereof each party has usually a counterpart or duplicate, sometimes with the edges indented for purpose of identification; sometimes in the pl., a short form for indentures of apprenticeship, the contract by which a youth is bound apprentice to a master.  [1913 Webster]

  " Indentures were originally duplicates, laid together and indented 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."  [1913 Webster]

  "The law is the best expositor of the gospel; they are like a pair of indentures: they answer in every part."  [1913 Webster]
•  A contract by which anyone is bound to service.  [PJC]

indenture, v. t. 

•  To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to furrow.  [1913 Webster]

  "Though age may creep on, and indenture the brow."  [1913 Webster]
•  To bind by indentures or written contract; as, to indenture an apprentice.  [1913 Webster]

indenture, v. i. 

 To run or wind in and out; to be cut or notched; to indent.  Heywood.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

indenture, n. & v.
--n.
1 an indented document (see INDENT(1) v. 2).
2 a sealed agreement or contract (usu. in pl.).
3 a formal list, certificate, etc.
--v.tr. hist. bind (a person) by indentures, esp. as an apprentice.

Derivative

indentureship n.

Etymology

ME (orig. Sc.) f. AF endenture (as INDENT(1))

THESAURUS

indenture

Fannie Mae, Federal Agency bond, Ginnie Mae, Series E bond, Series H bond, adjustment bond, alveolation, alveolus, annuity bond, appreciation bond, apprentice, apprenticeship, arrangement, article, assented bond, assumed bond, baby bond, bearer bond, bearer certificate, bind, bind over, binding over, bond, bond anticipation note, callable bond, collateral trust bond, consolidated annuities, consolidated stock, consols, contract by deed, contract of record, contract quasi, convertible bond, convertible debenture, corporate bond, corporation stock, coupon bond, coupon rate, covenant of indemnity, current income bond, current yield, debenture, debenture bond, deed, deed of trust, deed poll, deep-discount bond, defense bond, deferred bond, definitive bond, dent, dimple, dint, discount bond, equipment bond, equipment note, equipment trust, equipment trust bond, equipment trust certificate, extended bond, first mortgage bond, firsts, formal contract, furrow, general mortgage bond, general obligation bond, gouge, government bond, group policy, guaranteed bond, high-grade bond, honeycomb, implied contract, impress, impression, imprint, income bond, indent, indentation, indention, insurance policy, interchangeable bond, interim bond, joint bond, mortgage bond, mortgage deed, municipal bond, negotiable bond, nick, nominal rate, nonnegotiable bond, notch, optional bond, par bond, parol contract, participating bond, pock, pockmark, policy, premium bond, print, promissory note, purchase money bond, recognizance, refunding bond, registered bond, registered certificate, revenue bond, savings bond, second mortgage bond, seconds, secured bond, small bond, special contract, specialty, specialty contract, state bond, sunken part, tax anticipation note, tax-free bond, title deed, treasury bond, trust indenture, trustee mortgage bond, unsecured bond, voting bond, war bond, yield to maturity

ROGET THESAURUS

indenture

Compact

N compact, contract, agreement, bargain, affidation, pact, paction, bond, covenant, indenture, bundobast, deal, stipulation, settlement, convention, compromise, cartel, Protocol, treaty, concordat, Zollverein, Sonderbund, charter, Magna Charta, Progmatic Sanction, customs union, free trade region, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, most favored nation status, negotiation, diplomacy, negotiator, ratification, completion, signature, seal, sigil, signet, agreed, conventional, under hand and seal, caveat emptor.

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.