indent

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: in=dent

CIDE DICTIONARY

indent, v. t. [OE. endenten to notch, fit in, OF. endenter, LL. indentare, fr. L. in + dens, dentis, tooth. See Tooth, and cf. Indenture.].

•  To notch; to jag; to cut into points like a row of teeth; as, to indent the edge of paper.  [1913 Webster]
•  To dent; to stamp or to press in; to impress; as, indent a smooth surface with a hammer; to indent wax with a stamp.  [1913 Webster]
•  To bind out by indenture or contract; to indenture; to apprentice; as, to indent a young man to a shoemaker; to indent a servant.  [1913 Webster]
•  To begin (a line or lines) at a greater or less distance from the margin; as, to indent the first line of a paragraph one em; to indent the second paragraph two ems more than the first. See Indentation, and Indention.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make an order upon; to draw upon, as for military stores.  Wilhelm.  [1913 Webster]

indent, v. i. 

•  To be cut, notched, or dented.  [1913 Webster]
•  To crook or turn; to wind in and out; to zigzag.  [1913 Webster]
•  To contract; to bargain or covenant.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "To indent and drive bargains with the Almighty."  [1913 Webster]

indent, n. 

•  A cut or notch in the margin of anything, or a recess like a notch.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  A stamp; an impression.  [1913 Webster]
•  A certificate, or intended certificate, issued by the government of the United States at the close of the Revolution, for the principal or interest of the public debt.  D. Ramsay. A. Hamilton.  [1913 Webster]
•  A requisition or order for supplies, sent to the commissariat of an army.  Wilhelm.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

indent, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. start (a line of print or writing) further from the margin than other lines, e.g. to mark a new paragraph.
2 tr. a divide (a document drawn up in duplicate) into its two copies with a zigzag line dividing them and ensuring identification. b draw up (usu. a legal document) in exact duplicate.
3 Brit. a intr. (often foll. by on, upon a person, for a thing) make a requisition (orig. a written order with a duplicate). b tr. order (goods) by requisition.
4 tr. make toothlike notches in.
5 tr. form deep recesses in (a coastline etc.).
--n.
1 Brit. a an order (esp. from abroad) for goods. b an official requisition for stores.
2 an indented line.
3 indentation.
4 an indenture.

Derivative

indenter n. indentor n.

indent, v.tr.
1 make a dent in.
2 impress (a mark etc.).

Etymology

ME f. IN-(2) + DENT

THESAURUS

indent

Vandyke, address, adopt, adoption, alveolation, alveolus, application, apply for, appropriate, appropriation, arrangement, arrogate, arrogation, ask, ask for, asking, assume, assumption, bear down, beck, beck and call, beg leave, bespeak, bid come, bidding, blackmail, blaze, bond, boss, bring low, bump, call, call away, call back, call for, call forth, call in, call out, call together, call up, calling, calling forth, challenge, chop, cite, claim, clamor for, colonization, colonize, colophon, concavity, conjure, conjure up, conquer, conquest, contract by deed, contract of record, contract quasi, contribution, convene, convexity, convocation, convoke, couch, covenant of indemnity, crave, crenellate, crenulate, crimp, cry for, cut, dactylogram, dactylograph, debase, debenture, debenture bond, deed, deed of trust, deed poll, demand, demand for, dent, depress, desire, detrude, dimple, dint, downbear, draft, drain, duty, embossment, engrave, enslave, enslavement, evocation, evoke, exact, exaction, excrescence, expressed desire, extort, extortion, extortionate demand, file for, fingerprint, footmark, footprint, footstep, formal contract, fossil footprint, furrow, gash, gouge, group policy, haul down, heavy demand, hog, honeycomb, ichnite, ichnolite, impetration, implied contract, impose, imposition, impost, impress, impression, imprint, incise, indentation, indention, indenture, insistent demand, insurance policy, invocation, invoke, issue an ultimatum, jag, jump a claim, knurl, let down, levy, lower, lump, machicolate, make a demand, make a request, make a requisition, make application, make free with, make use of, mill, monopolize, mortgage deed, muster, muster up, nick, nod, nonnegotiable demand, notch, notice, occupation, occupy, order, order up, overrun, pad, page, parol contract, paw print, pawmark, petition, picot, pimple, pink, pit, place an order, pock, pockmark, policy, preconization, preconize, preempt, preemption, preoccupation, preoccupy, prepossess, prepossession, press down, press in, print, promissory note, pug, pugmark, pull down, punch, punch in, push down, put in for, put in requisition, recall, recess, recognizance, reduce, request, require, requirement, requisition, rush, rush order, scallop, scarify, score, scotch, screw, seal, send after, send for, serrate, serve, set back, set in, sigil, signet, sink, sit on, slash, special contract, specialty, specialty contract, squat on, stamp, step, stud, subjugate, subjugation, subpoena, summon, summon forth, summon up, summons, sunken part, take all of, take down, take it all, take over, take possession of, take up, takeover, taking over, tamp, tax, taxing, thrust down, thumbmark, thumbprint, title deed, tooth, tribute, ultimatum, usurp, usurpation, vestige, warn, warning, whistle for, wish

ROGET THESAURUS

indent

Compact

VB contract, covenant, agree for, engage, treat, negotiate, stipulate, make terms, bargain, make a bargain, strike a bargain, come to terms, come to an understanding, compromise, set at rest, close, close with, conclude, complete, settle, confirm, ratify, clench, subscribe, underwrite, endorse, indorse, put the seal to, sign, seal, indent, take one at one's word, bargain by inch of candle.

Convolution

VB be convoluted, wind, twine, turn and twist, twirl, wave, undulate, meander, inosculate, entwine, intwine, twist, coil, roll, wrinkle, curl, crisp, twill, frizzle, crimp, crape, indent, scollop, scallop, wring, intort, contort, wreathe.

Notch

N notch, dent, nick, cut, indent, indentation, dimple, embrasure, battlement, machicolation, saw, tooth, crenelle, scallop, scollop, vandyke, depression, jag, notched, crenate, crenated, dentate, dentated, denticulate, denticulated, toothed, palmated, serrated.

VB notch, nick, cut, dent, indent, jag, scarify, scotch, crimp, scallop, scollop, crenulate, vandyke.